Filamentous fungi having an altered viscosity phenotype

ABSTRACT

Described are compositions and methods relating to variant filamentous fungi having altered growth characteristics. Such variants are well-suited for growth in submerged cultures, e.g., for the large-scale production of enzymes and other proteins for commercial applications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a 371 National Stage application of PCT/US2012/034403, filed on Apr. 20, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/478,160, and 61/478,162, both filed on Apr. 22, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The sequence listing submitted via EFS, in compliance with 37 C.F.R. §1.52(e), is incorporated herein by reference. The sequence listing text file submitted via EFS contains the file “31578-WO_ST25.txt” created on Oct. 18, 2013, which is 106,496 bytes in size.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present strains and methods relate to genetic mutations in filamentous fungi that give rise to strain variants having altered growth characteristics. Such variants are well-suited for growth in submerged cultures, e.g., for the large-scale production of enzymes and other proteins or metabolites for commercial applications.

BACKGROUND

Filamentous fungi are capable of expressing native and heterologous proteins to high levels, making them well-suited for the large-scale production of enzymes and other proteins for industrial, pharmaceutical, animal health and food and beverage applications. Filamentous fungi are typically grown in mycelial submerged cultures in bioreactors, which are adapted to introduce and distribute oxygen and nutrients into the culture medium (i.e., broth). The morphological characteristics of the mycelium affect the rheological properties of the broth, thereby affecting bioreactor performance.

Generally, the higher the viscosity of the broth, the less uniform the distribution of oxygen and nutrients and the more energy required to agitate the culture. In some cases, the viscosity of the broth becomes sufficiently high to significantly interfere with the dissolution of oxygen and nutrients, thereby adversely affecting the growth of the fungi. Additionally, the power required to mix and aerate viscous broth can significantly increase the cost of production, and incur higher capital expenditures in terms of motors and power supplies.

SUMMARY

Described are strains and methods relating to filamentous fungi having genetic alterations that give rise to altered viscosity phenotypes.

In one aspect, a variant strain of filamentous fungus derived from a parental strain is provided, the variant strain comprising a genetic alteration that causes cells of the variant strain to produce an altered amount of functional Seb1 protein compared to cells of the parental strain, wherein the cells of the variant strain are produced during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture cell broth that (i) requires an altered amount of agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an altered dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain.

In some embodiments, the altered amount of functional Seb1 protein is a reduced amount, and the variant strain produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain.

In some embodiments, the genetic alteration comprises a disruption of the seb1 gene present in the parental strain. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is the result of deletion of all or part of the seb1 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is the result of deletion of a portion of genomic DNA comprising the seb1 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is the result of mutagenesis of the seb1 gene.

In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed using site-specific recombination. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene.

In some embodiments, the variant strain does not produce functional Seb1 protein. In some embodiments, the variant strain does not produce Seb1 protein.

In some embodiments, the variant strain further comprises a gene encoding a protein of interest. In some embodiments, the variant strain further comprises a disruption of the sfb3 gene. In some embodiments, the variant strain further comprises a disruption of the mpg1 gene. In some embodiments, the variant strain further comprises a disruption of the sfb3 and mpg1 genes. In some embodiments, the variant strain further comprises a disruption of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene. In some embodiments, the variant strain produces substantially the same amount of, or more, protein per unit amount of biomass as the parental strain.

In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus is a Pezizomycotina species. In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus is a Trichoderma spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Chrysosporium spp., Cephalosporium spp., Talaromyces spp., Geosmithia spp., and Neurospora spp. In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus can include, but is not limited to, Trichoderma reesei (previously classified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Hypocrea jecorina), Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus itaconicus, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus sojae, Aspergillus japonicus, Scedosporium prolificans, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Talaromyces (Geosmithia) emersonii, Fusarium venenatum, and Chrysosporium lucknowense. In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus is Trichoderma reesei.

In another aspect, a method for producing a variant strain of filamentous fungus cells is provided, comprising: introducing a genetic alteration into a parental strain of filamentous fungal cell, which genetic alteration alters the production of functional Seb1 protein compared to the cells of the parental strain, thereby producing a variant filamentous fungal cell that produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires an altered amount of agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an altered dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain.

In some embodiments, the genetic alteration reduces or prevents the production of functional Seb1 protein, thereby producing a variant filamentous fungal cell that produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain.

In some embodiments, the genetic alteration comprises disrupting the seb1 gene in a parental filamentous fungal cell using genetic manipulation. In some embodiments, the genetic alteration comprises deleting the seb1 gene in a parental filamentous fungal cell using genetic manipulation. In some embodiments, the genetic alteration is performed using site-specific genetic recombination.

In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene. In some embodiments, the variant strain produces substantially the same amount of, or more, protein per unit amount of biomass as the parental strain. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the sfb3 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the mpg1 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene.

In some embodiments, the variant strain produces substantially the same amount of, or more, protein per unit amount of biomass as the parental strain.

In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus is a Pezizomycotina species. In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus is a Trichoderma spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Chrysosporium spp., Cephalosporium spp., Talaromyces spp., Geosmithia spp., and Neurospora spp. In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus can include, but is not limited to, Trichoderma reesei (previously classified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Hypocrea jecorina), Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus itaconicus, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus sojae, Aspergillus japonicus, Scedosporium prolificans, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Talaromyces (Geosmithia) emersonii, Fusarium venenatum, and Chrysosporium lucknowense. In some embodiments, the filamentous fungus is Trichoderma reesei.

In some embodiments, the parental strain further comprises a gene encoding a protein of interest. In some embodiments, the gene encoding the protein of interest is present in the parental strain prior to introducing the genetic alteration that reduces or prevents the production of functional Seb1 protein. In some embodiments the protein of interest within the parental strain is encoded by an endogenous gene or a heterologous gene.

In another aspect, a protein of interest produced by any of the aforementioned variant strains is provided.

In yet another aspect, a filamentous fungus produced by any of the aforementioned methods and having any of the aforementioned properties is provided.

In another aspect, a variant strain of filamentous fungus derived from a parental strain is provided, the variant strain comprising: (a) a genetic alteration that results in (i) a requirement for reduced agitation in submerged culture to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintenance of an increased dissolved oxygen content in submerged culture at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and (b) a gene encoding a protein of interest, wherein the gene encoding the protein of interest is present in the variant strain prior to the genetic alteration in (a).

In some embodiments, the genetic alteration of the resulting variant strain comprises a disruption of the seb1 gene present in the parental strain. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the sfb3 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the mpg1 gene. In some embodiments, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene.

These and other aspects and embodiments of present variant strains and methods will be apparent from the description, including the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a schematic representing the T-DNA containing the pyr4 gene.

FIG. 1B is a map of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens PZP 100 vector.

FIG. 2 is graph comparing the dissolved oxygen levels during growth of T4 T-DNA mutant F16 and the T4 parent in a 14 L fermentor.

FIG. 3 is graph comparing the growth rate of T4 T-DNA mutant F16 and the T4 parent in a 14 L fermentor.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are images of the T4 Δseb1 F16 strain (FIG. 4) and the Morph strain (FIG. 5) after growth on PDA, sorbitol, and NaCl plates. The T4 seb1 F16 mutant shows restricted growth and osmosensitivity compared to the Morph control.

FIG. 6 is a map of the seb1 disruption vector.

FIG. 7 is a map of the mpg1 disruption vector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

The present strains and methods relate to variant strains of filamentous fungus cells having genetic modifications that affect their morphology and growth characteristics. When the variant cells are grown in submerged culture, they produce a cell broth that has different rheological properties compared to a cell broth comprising cells of the parental strain. Some of these variant strains are well-suited for the large-scale production of enzymes and other commercially important proteins.

II. Definitions

Prior to describing the present strains and methods in detail, the following terms are defined for clarity. Terms not defined should be accorded their ordinary meanings as used in the relevant art.

As used herein, “Trichoderma reesei” refers to a filamentous fungus of the phylum Ascomycota, subphylum Pezizomycotina. This organism was previously classified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum, and also as Hypocrea jecorina.

As used herein, the phrase “variant strain of filamentous fungus cells,” or similar phrases, refer to strains of filamentous fungus cells that are derived (i.e., obtained from or obtainable from) from a parental (or reference) strain belonging to the Pezizomycotina, e.g., by genetic manipulation. In the present description, parental and variant strains can be described as having certain characteristics, such as genetic modifications, expression phenotypes, morphology, and the like; however, the skilled person will appreciate that it is technically the cells of the parental or variant strain that have such characteristics, and “the strains” are referred to for convenience.

As used herein, the term “protein of interest” refers to a polypeptide that is desired to be expressed in a filamentous fungus. Such a protein can be an enzyme, a substrate-binding protein, a surface-active protein, a structural protein, or the like, and can be expressed at high levels, and can be for the purpose of commercialization. The protein of interest can be encoded by an endogenous gene or a heterologous gene relative to the variant strain and/or the parental strain. The protein of interest can be expressed intracellularly or as a secreted protein.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially free of an activity,” or similar phrases, means that a specified activity is either undetectable in an admixture or present in an amount that would not interfere with the intended purpose of the admixture.

As used herein, the terms “polypeptide” and “protein” (and/or their respective plural forms) are used interchangeably to refer to polymers of any length comprising amino acid residues linked by peptide bonds. The conventional one-letter or three-letter codes for amino acid residues are used herein. The polymer can be linear or branched, it can comprise modified amino acids, and it can be interrupted by non-amino acids. The terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified naturally or by intervention; for example, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation or modification, such as conjugation with a labeling component. Also included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids, etc.), as well as other modifications known in the art.

As used herein, functionally and/or structurally similar proteins are considered to be “related proteins.” Such proteins can be derived from organisms of different genera and/or species, or even different classes of organisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi). Related proteins also encompass homologs determined by primary sequence analysis, determined by secondary or tertiary structure analysis, or determined by immunological cross-reactivity.

As used herein, the term “derivative polypeptide/protein” refers to a protein which is derived or derivable from a protein by addition of one or more amino acids to either or both the N- and C-terminal end(s), substitution of one or more amino acids at one or a number of different sites in the amino acid sequence, deletion of one or more amino acids at either or both ends of the protein or at one or more sites in the amino acid sequence, and/or insertion of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the amino acid sequence. The preparation of a protein derivative can be achieved by modifying a DNA sequence which encodes for the native protein, transformation of that DNA sequence into a suitable host, and expression of the modified DNA sequence to form the derivative protein.

Related (and derivative) proteins include “variant proteins.” Variant proteins differ from a reference/parental protein (e.g., a wild-type protein) by substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions at a small number of amino acid residues. The number of differing amino acid residues between the variant and parental protein can be one or more, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, or more amino acid residues. Variant proteins can share at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99%, or more, amino acid sequence identity with a reference protein. A variant protein can also differ from a reference protein in selected motifs, domains, epitopes, conserved regions, and the like.

As used herein, the term “analogous sequence” refers to a sequence within a protein that provides similar function, tertiary structure, and/or conserved residues as the protein of interest (i.e., typically the original protein of interest). For example, in epitope regions that contain an α-helix or a β-sheet structure, the replacement amino acids in the analogous sequence preferably maintain the same specific structure. The term also refers to nucleotide sequences, as well as amino acid sequences. In some embodiments, analogous sequences are developed such that the replacement amino acids result in a variant enzyme showing a similar or improved function. In some embodiments, the tertiary structure and/or conserved residues of the amino acids in the protein of interest are located at or near the segment or fragment of interest. Thus, where the segment or fragment of interest contains, for example, an α-helix or a β-sheet structure, the replacement amino acids preferably maintain that specific structure.

As used herein, the term “homologous protein” refers to a protein that has similar activity and/or structure to a reference protein. It is not intended that homologs necessarily be evolutionarily related. Thus, it is intended that the term encompass the same, similar, or corresponding enzyme(s) (i.e., in terms of structure and function) obtained from different organisms. In some embodiments, it is desirable to identify a homolog that has a quaternary, tertiary and/or primary structure similar to the reference protein. In some embodiments, homologous proteins induce similar immunological response(s) as a reference protein. In some embodiments, homologous proteins are engineered to produce enzymes with desired activity(ies).

The degree of homology between sequences can be determined using any suitable method known in the art (see, e.g., Smith and Waterman (1981) Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482; Needleman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol., 48:443; Pearson and Lipman (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444; programs such as GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package (Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.); and Devereux et al. (1984) Nucleic Acids Res. 12:387-95).

For example, PILEUP is a useful program to determine sequence homology levels. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pair-wise alignments. It can also plot a tree showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng and Doolittle, (Feng and Doolittle (1987) J. Mol. Evol. 35:351-60). The method is similar to that described by Higgins and Sharp ((1989) CABIOS 5:151-53). Useful PILEUP parameters including a default gap weight of 3.00, a default gap length weight of 0.10, and weighted end gaps. Another example of a useful algorithm is the BLAST algorithm, described by Altschul et al. ((1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10) and Karlin et al. ((1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-87). One particularly useful BLAST program is the WU-BLAST-2 program (see, e.g., Altschul et al. (1996) Meth. Enzymol. 266:460-80). Parameters “W,” “T,” and “X” determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLAST program uses as defaults a word-length (W) of 11, the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see, e.g., Henikoff and Henikoff (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M′S, N′-4, and a comparison of both strands.

As used herein, the phrases “substantially similar” and “substantially identical,” in the context of at least two nucleic acids or polypeptides, typically means that a polynucleotide or polypeptide comprises a sequence that has at least about 70% identity, at least about 75% identity, at least about 80% identity, at least about 85% identity, at least about 90% identity, at least about 91% identity, at least about 92% identity, at least about 93% identity, at least about 94% identity, at least about 95% identity, at least about 96% identity, at least about 97% identity, at least about 98% identity, or even at least about 99% identity, or more, compared to the reference (i.e., wild-type) sequence. Sequence identity can be determined using known programs such as BLAST, ALIGN, and CLUSTAL using standard parameters. (See, e.g., Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410; Henikoff et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915; Karin et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 90:5873; and Higgins et al. (1988) Gene 73:237-244). Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Also, databases can be searched using FASTA (Pearson et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444-48). One indication that two polypeptides are substantially identical is that the first polypeptide is immunologically cross-reactive with the second polypeptide. Typically, polypeptides that differ by conservative amino acid substitutions are immunologically cross-reactive. Thus, a polypeptide is substantially identical to a second polypeptide, for example, where the two peptides differ only by a conservative substitution. Another indication that two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is that the two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions (e.g., within a range of medium to high stringency).

As used herein, the term “gene” is synonymous with the term “allele” in referring to a nucleic acid that encodes and directs the expression of a protein or RNA. Vegetative forms of filamentous fungi are generally haploid, therefore a single copy of a specified gene (i.e., a single allele) is sufficient to confer a specified phenotype.

As used herein, the terms “wild-type” and “native” are used interchangeably and refer to genes proteins or strains found in nature.

As used herein, “deletion of a gene,” refers to its removal from the genome of a host cell. Where a gene includes control elements (e.g., enhancer elements) that are not located immediately adjacent to the coding sequence of a gene, deletion of a gene refers to the deletion of the coding sequence, and optionally adjacent enhancer elements, including but not limited to, for example, promoter and/or terminator sequences.

As used herein, “disruption of a gene” refers broadly to any genetic or chemical manipulation, i.e., mutation, that substantially prevents a cell from producing a function gene product, e.g., a protein, in a host cell. Exemplary methods of disruption include complete or partial deletion of any portion of a gene, including a polypeptide-coding sequence, a promoter, an enhancer, or another regulatory element, or mutagenesis of the same, where mutagenesis encompasses substitutions, insertions, deletions, inversions, and combinations and variations, thereof, any of which mutations substantially prevent the production of a function gene product. A gene can also be disrupted using RNAi, antisense, or any other method that abolishes gene expression.

As used herein, the terms “genetic manipulation” and “genetic alteration” are used interchangeably and refer to the alteration/change of a nucleic acid sequence. The alteration can included but is not limited to a substitution, deletion, insertion or chemical modification of at least one nucleic acid in the nucleic acid sequence.

As used herein, “aerobic fermentation” refers to growth in the presence of oxygen.

As used herein, the term “cell broth” refers collectively to medium and cells in a liquid/submerged culture.

As used herein, the term “cell mass” refers to the cell component (including intact and lysed cells) present in a liquid/submerged culture. Cell mass can be expressed in dry or wet weight.

As used herein, the term “rheology” refers to a branch of physics dealing with the deformation and flow of matter.

As used herein, “viscosity” is a measure of the resistance of a fluid to deformation by mechanical stress, such as shear stress or tensile stress. In the present context, viscosity can also refer to the resistance of a cell broth comprising filamentous fungus cells to mechanical stress, e.g., as provided by a rotor/impeller. Because the viscosity of a cell broth can be difficult to measure directly, indirect measurements of viscosity can be used, such as the dissolved oxygen content of the culture broth at a preselected amount of agitation, the amount of agitation required to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, the amount of power required to agitate a cell broth to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, or even colony morphology on solid medium.

As used herein, an “altered-viscosity” variant strain of filamentous fungus cells refers to a variant strain that produces a cell broth that has either a reduced or increased viscosity (i.e., reduced or increased resistance to shear or tensile stress) compared to an equivalent cell broth produced by a parental strain. Generally, equivalent cell broths have comparable cell masses. Preferably, the difference between a variant, altered viscosity strain and a parental strain, with respect to any direct or indirect measure of viscosity, is at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, or even at least 50%, or more. Methods for comparing the viscosity of filamentous fungus cell broths are described, herein. Generally, comparable (or equivalent) cell broths have comparable cell masses.

As used herein, a “reduced-viscosity” variant strain of filamentous fungus cells refers to a variant strain that produces a cell broth that has reduced viscosity (i.e., reduced resistance to shear or tensile stress) compared to an equivalent cell broth produced by a parental strain. Preferably, the difference between a variant, altered viscosity strain and a parental strain, with respect to any direct or indirect measure of viscosity, is at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, or even at least 50%, or more.

As used herein, “dissolved oxygen” (DO) refers to the amount of oxygen (O₂) present in a liquid medium as measured in vol/vol units. The dissolved oxygen level can be maintained at a high level, e.g., between 170-100% and 20%, between 100-80% and 20%, between 70% and 20%, between 65% and 20%, between 60% and 20%, between 55% and 20%, between 50% and 20%, between 45% and 20%, between 44% and 20%, between 43% and 20%, between 42% and 20%, between 41% and 20%, between 40% and 20%, between 35% and 20%, between 30% and 20%, and between 25% and 20% throughout the fermentation. In particular, the dissolved oxygen can be high at the beginning of the fermentation and to be permitted to fall as the fermentation progresses. The dissolved oxygen level can be controlled by the rate at which the fermentation is agitated, e.g. stirred, and/or by the rate of addition of air or oxygen. The culture can be agitated, e.g., stirred at between 400-700 rpm and the dissolved oxygen level is maintained above 20%, above 25%, above 30%, above 35%, above 40%, above 45%, above 50% and above 55% or more by altering the air or oxygen flow rate and impeller speed.

As used herein, a “primarily genetic determinant” refers to a gene, or genetic manipulation thereof, that is necessary and sufficient to confer a specified phenotype in the absence of other genes, or genetic manipulations, thereof. However, that a particular gene is necessary and sufficient to confer a specified phenotype does not exclude the possibility that additional effects to the phenotype can be achieved by further genetic manipulations.

As used herein, a “functional polypeptide/protein” is a protein that possesses an activity, such as an enzymatic activity, a binding activity, a surface-active property, or the like, and which has not been mutagenized, truncated, or otherwise modified to abolish or reduce that activity. Functional polypeptides can be thermostable or thermolabile, as specified.

As used herein, “a functional gene” is a gene capable of being used by cellular components to produce an active gene product, typically a protein. Functional genes are the antithesis of disrupted genes, which are modified such that they cannot be used by cellular components to produce an active gene product, or have a reduced ability to be used by cellular components to produce an active gene product.

As used herein, variant cells “maintain or retain a high level of protein expression and/or secretion” compared to a parental strain if the difference in protein expression between the variant strain and a parental strain is less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, less than about 7%, less than about 5%, or even less than about 3%.

As used herein, host cells have been “modified to prevent the production of a specified protein” if they have been genetically or chemically altered to prevent the production of a functional protein/polypeptide that exhibits an activity characteristic of the wild-type protein, particularly an activity that promotes elongation of hyphae or otherwise increases the viscosity of a filamentous fungus in liquid culture. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, deletion or disruption of the gene encoding the protein (as described, herein), modification of the gene such that the encoded polypeptide lacks the aforementioned activity, modification of the gene to affect post-translational processing or stability, and combinations, thereof.

As used herein, a “protein of interest” is a protein that is desired to be produced in a submerged culture of filamentous fungus cells. Generally, proteins of interest are commercially important for industrial, pharmaceutical, animal health, and food and beverage use, making them desirable to produce in large quantities. Proteins of interest are to be distinguished from the myriad other proteins expressed by the filamentous fungus cells, which are generally not of interest as products and are mainly considered background protein contaminants.

As used herein, a variant strain produces “substantially the same amount” of protein per unit amount of biomass as a parental strain if the amount of protein produced by the variant strain is no more than 20% reduced, no more than 15% reduced, no more than 10% reduced, an even no more than 5% reduced compared to the amount of protein produced by the parental strain, wherein the amount of protein is normalized to the total amount of biomass of cells from which protein production is measured, wherein biomass can be expressed in terms of either wet (e.g., of cell pellet) or dry weight.

As used herein, a variant strain produces “substantially more protein per unit amount of biomass” than a parental strain if the amount of protein produced by the variant strain is at least 5% increased, at least 10% increased, at least 15% increased, or more, compared to the parental strain, wherein the amount of protein is normalized to the total amount of biomass of cells from which protein production is measured, wherein biomass can be expressed in terms of either wet (e.g., of cell pellet) or dry weight.

As used herein, “fluorochromes” are fluorescent dyes. Preferred fluorochromes bind to cellulose and/or chitin in the cell walls of fungi.

As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass the plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The following abbreviations/acronyms have the following meanings unless otherwise specified:

CFU colony forming units

EC enzyme commission

kDa kiloDalton

kb kilobase

MW molecular weight

w/v weight/volume

w/w weight/weight

v/v volume/volume

wt % weight percent

° C. degrees Centigrade

H₂O water

H₂O₂ hydrogen peroxide

dH₂O or DI deionized water

dIH₂O deionized water, Milli-Q filtration

DO dissolved oxygen

g or gm gram

μg microgram

mg milligram

kg kilogram

lb pound

μL and μl microliter

mL and ml milliliter

mm millimeter

μm micrometer

mol mole

mmol millimole

M molar

mM millimolar

μM micromolar

nm nanometer

U unit

ppm parts per million

sec and ″ second

min and ′ minute

hr and h hour

EtOH ethanol

eq. equivalent

N normal

PCR polymerase chain reaction

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid

FOA fluoroorotic acid

UV ultraviolet

A₅₄₀ absorbance measured at a wavelength of 540 nm

CMC carboxymethyl cellulose

rpm revolutions per minute

Δ relating to a deletion

CER CO₂ evolution rate

bp base pairs

III. Filamentous Fungal Strain with Altered Seb1 Protein Production

In one aspect, a variant strain of filamentous fungus derived from a parental strain is provided, the variant strain comprising a genetic alteration that causes cells of the variant strain to produce an altered amount of functional Seb1 protein compared to cells of the parental strain. The cells of the variant strain subsequently produce, during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture, a cell broth that requires an altered amount of agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, or a cell mass that maintains an altered dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain.

In some cases, the genetic alteration causes cells of the variant strain to produce a reduced amount of functional Seb1 protein compared to cells of the parental strain, and the resulting cell broth requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content or maintains a higher dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation compared to the cells of the parental strain. In such cases, it is believed that the cell mass of the variant strain exhibits reduced viscosity compared to a cell mass of the parental strain, which accounts for the observations relating to dissolved oxygen content and agitation, as described in the Examples.

The reduction in the amount of functional Seb1 protein can result from disruption of the seb1 gene present in the parental strain. Because disruption of the seb1 gene is a primary genetic determinant for conferring a reduced viscosity phenotype to the variant strain, such variant strains need only comprise a disrupted seb1 gene, while all other genes can remain intact. In some cases, the variant strains can optionally include additional genetic alterations compared to the parental stain from which they are derived. Such additional genetic alterations are not necessary to confer a reduction in viscosity but can further reduce viscosity or confer other advantages for the variant strain.

Disruption of the seb1 gene can be performed using any suitable methods that substantially prevent expression of a function seb1 gene product, i.e., the Seb1 protein. Exemplary methods of disruption as are known to one of skill in the art include but are not limited to: Complete or partial deletion of the seb1 gene, including complete or partial deletion of, e.g., the Seb1-coding sequence, the promoter, the terminator, an enhancer, or another regulatory element; and complete or partial deletion of a portion of the chromosome that includes any portion of the seb1 gene. Particular methods of disrupting the seb1 gene include making nucleotide substitutions or insertions in any portion of the seb1 gene, e.g., the Seb1-coding sequence, the promoter, the terminator, an enhancer, or another regulatory element. Preferably, deletions, insertions, and/or substitutions (collectively referred to as mutations) are made by genetic manipulation using sequence-specific molecular biology techniques, as opposed to by chemical mutagenesis, which is generally not targeted to specific nucleic acid sequences. Nonetheless, chemical mutagenesis can be used to disrupt the seb1 gene.

Mutations in the seb1 gene can reduce the efficiency of the seb1 promoter, reduce the efficiency of a seb1 enhancer, interfere with the splicing or editing of the seb1 mRNA, interfere with the translation of the seb1 mRNA, introduce a stop codon into the Seb1-coding sequence to prevent the translation of full-length Seb1 protein, change the coding sequence of the Seb1 protein to produce a less active or inactive protein or reduce Seb1 interaction with other nuclear protein components, change the coding sequence of the Seb1 protein to produce a less stable protein or target the protein for destruction, cause the Seb1 protein to misfold or be incorrectly modified (e.g., by glycosylation), or interfere with cellular trafficking of the Seb1 protein.

In one embodiment, these and other genetic manipulations act to reduce or prevent the expression of a functional Seb1 protein, or reduce or prevent the normal biological activity of the Seb1 protein, thereby producing a morphology change in the cell that results in a reduced viscosity phenotype.

In other cases, the genetic alteration increases or restores the expression of a functional Seb1 protein, or increases the normal biological activity of the Seb1 protein, thereby producing a morphology change in the cell that results in an increased or restored viscosity phenotype. Exemplary genetic alterations that increase or restore Seb1 function are those that introduce addition copies of the seb1 gene into a cell, increase the efficiency of the seb1 promoter, enhancer, or other control element, increase the translation of the mRNA encoding the Seb1 protein, increase the stability of mRNA encoding the Seb1 protein, introduce changes in the seb1 gene that increase the activity or stability of the Seb1 protein, introduce changes in the seb1 gene that modulate the interaction with other proteins or cell wall components, and the like. Other genetic alterations that increase or restore Seb1 function are those that reverse the effect of genetic alterations that reduce or prevent the expression of a functional Seb1 protein.

Filamentous fungus cells for manipulation and use as described are generally from the phylum Ascomycota, subphylum Pezizomycotina, particularly fungi that have a vegetative hyphae state and include a homolog of the seb1 gene. Such organisms include filamentous fungus cells used for the production of commercially important industrial and pharmaceutical proteins, including, but are not limited to Trichoderma spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Chrysosporium spp., Cephalosporium spp., Talaromyces spp., Geosmithia spp., and Neurospora spp. Particular organisms include, but are not limited to, Trichoderma reesei (previously classified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Hypocrea jecorina), Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus itaconicus, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus sojae, Aspergillus japonicus, Scedosporium prolificans, Neurospora crassa, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Talaromyces (Geosmithia) emersonii, Fusarium venenatum, and Chrysosporium lucknowense.

As described by Peterbauer, C. et al. ((2002) Molecular Genetics and Genomics 268:223-31) Seb1 from Trichoderma atroviride is a STRE-element-binding protein, and the seb1 gene is believed to be an orthologue of the yeast msn2/4 gene and the Aspergillus nidulans msnA gene. Notably, the seb1 gene cannot complement the msn2/4 gene in yeast, so is probably not a functional homologue. Seb1 is involved with but not essential in the osmotic stress response but has not been described previously as being associated with altered morphology, particularly those giving rise to a low viscosity phenotype. The present disclosure provides experimental evidence of the association of Seb1 with altered morphology.

A BLAST search of the publicly available genomic DNA sequence of Trichoderma reesei performed using the T. atroviride Seb1 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) as a query revealed that the T. reesei genome includes a single gene that is closely homologous to seb1. No further homologs or similar sequences were identified, suggesting that seb1 is a unique single copy gene. Homologs of the Seb1 proteins were found in e.g., Aspergillus clavatus (SEQ ID NO: 2), Aspergillus fumigatus Af93 (SEQ ID NO: 3), and Neosartorya fischeri NRRL 181 (SEQ ID NO: 4). The predicted Seb1 amino acid sequence of T. reesei is shown in SEQ ID NO: 5.

The amino acid sequence of the Trichoderma atroviride Seb1 protein  is shown,below, as SEQ ID NO: 1: MDGMMSQAMGQQAFYFYNHNHDHKMARQAIFAQQMAAYQMVPTLPPTPMYSRPNSSCSQPPTLY SNGPSVMTPTSTPPLSRKHMMLDAEFGDNPYFPSTPPLSTSGSTVGSPKACDMLQTPMNPMFSG LEGIAMKEAVDTTESLVVDWASIVSPPLSPVYFQSQVSRVPSPTSSPSDILSTASCPSLSPSPT PYARSVTSEHDVDFCDPRNLTVSVGSNPTLAPEFTLTGLAEDLKGEQLSTAQHTFDFNPALPSG LPTFEDFSDLESEADFSNLVNLGEVNPIDISRPRACTGSSVVSLGHGSFIGDEELSFEDNDAFG FNSLPSPTSSIDFSDVHQDKRRKKEKKDIKPIMNTAASGSPSGNEQIGATPAASAASDSNASSA SEDPSSMPAPTNRRGRKQSLTEDPSKTFVCDLCNRRFRRQEHLKRHYRSLHTQEKPFECNECGK KFSRSDNLAQHARTHAGGAIVMNLIEDGSEVPAFDGSMMTGPVGDDYNTYGKVLFQIASEIPGS ASELSSEEGDQSKKKRKRSD The amino acid sequence of the Aspergillus clavatus Seb1 protein is  shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 2: MDTTYTMVGTPVQGQPSFAYYTTNDSQSRQQHFTSHPSEMQAFYGQMQPYPQQQQQTCMPDQQS IYAAQPMLNMHQMATANAFRGALSMTPIVSPQPTHLKPTIIVQQDSPMLMPLDTRFVSSDYYAF PSTPPLSTSGSTISSPPSSGRSLHTPINDCFFSFEKVEGVKEGCESDVHSELLANADWSRSDSP PLTPVFIHPPSLTASQSSDLLSAHSSCPSLSPSPSPVSSTFIAPPHSGLSVEPSGTDFCDPRQL TVESSVDSSTELPPLPTLSCNEEEPKVVLGSATVTLPVHESLSPAYTSSTEDPLGSLPTFDSFT DLDSEDEFVNNLVDFHPGGNPYFLGDKRQRLGSYLLEEDEFLSDRSFDDLDDHEAFAHSGLPSL EPSELISVQGDVAEVSEEMRSKKRTTSRRTLKRTNSSDSSSESLATSGKRTQASANGRSGHSEA TSSSAQQSTTPSRQNSTANASSSSEAPSAPVSVNRRGRKQSLTDDPSKTFVCTLCSRRFRRQEH LKRHYRSLHTQDKPFECHECGKKFSRSDNLAQHARTHGGGSIVMGVIDTNASLQASYEEREPRL LGAALYEAANAAANKSTTSDSSDGTISDTSSVEGRPIKKRRREDHA The amino acid sequence of the Aspergillus fumigatus Af93 Seb1  protein is shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 3: MDATYTMAQTPVQGQPSFAYYPTESQSRQQHFTSHPFEMQYYGQVSSYPQQQAQQQHSMPEQQP VYAAQPMLNMHQMATTNAFRGALSMTPIASPQPTHLKPTIIVQQDSPALMPLDTRFVSNDFYGF PSTPPLSTSGSTISSPPSSNGSLHTPINDCFFSFEKVEGVKEGCESDVHCELLANTDWSRSDSP PLTPVFIQPQSLTASQSSDLLSAQIPCPSLSPSPSPDSATFISHPQSILSAEPSGSDFCDPRQL TVESSVGAPAELPPLPTLSCNEEEPKVVLGSATVTLPVHEGLSPSFSSSSEDPLGSLPTFDSFS DLDSEDEFANKLVDFHPIGNTYFQGDKRQRLGTYLLDEDEFLSERSLEDLDDQEAFAQSGLPSV ESTDFLAVEGDATQSTEEMSSKKRVTSRRSLKKASTSESSSDSLAKKTQASATSRSGHSDTTST VQQSTASSRQNSTANTSNSESPAAPVSVNRRGRKQSLTDDPSKTFVCSLCSRRFRRQEHLKRHY RSLHTQDKPFECHECGKKFSRSDNLAQHARTHGGGSIVMGVIDTNSSNTQPAFDEPEPRALGLA LYEAANAATSKSTTSESSDGTISDISSVGGRPAKKRRRDDHV The amino acid sequence of the Neosartorya fischeri NRRL 181 Seb1 protein is shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 4: MDATYTMAQTPVQGQPSFAYYPTESQSRQQHFTSHPSEMQYYGQVPPYPQQQHSMPEQQPVYAA QPMLNMHQMATTNAFRGALSMTPIASPQPTHLKPTIIVQQQDSPVLMPLDTRFVSNDFYGFPST PPLSTSGSTISSPPSSNGSLHTPINDCFFSFEKVEGVKEGCESDVHCELLANTGWSRSDSPPLT PVFIQPPSLTASQSSDLLSAHMSCPSLSPSPSPDSTTFISHPQSVLSAEPSGSDFCDPRQLTVE SSVGAPAELPPLPTLSCNEEEPKVVLGSATVTLPVHEGLSPSFSSSSEDPLGSLPTFDSFSDLD SEDEFANKLVDFHPIGNTYFLGDKRQRLGTYLLDEDEFLSERSLEDLDDQEAFAQSGLPSVESS DFLAAEGDATQNTEEMSSKKRVTSRRSLKRASTSESSSDSLAKKTQASATSRSGHSETTSTVQQ STASSRQNSTANTSSSGSPAAPVSVNRRGRKQSLTDDPSKTFVCSLCSRRFRRQEHLKRHYRSL HTQDKPFECHECGKKFSRSDNLAQHARTHGGGSIVMGVIDINGSNTQPAFDEPEPRALGLALYE AANAATSKSTTSESSDGTISDTSSVGGRPAKKRRRDDHV The predicted amino acid sequence of the Trichoderma reesei Seb1 protein is shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 5: MDGMMSQPMGQQAFYFYNHEHKMSPRQVIFAQQMAAYQMMPSLPPTPMYSRPNSSCSQPPTLYS NGPSVMTPTSTPPLSSRKPMLVDTEFGDNPYFPSTPPLSASGSTVGSPKACDMLQTPMNPMFSG LEGIAIKDSIDATESLVLDWASIASPPLSPVYLQSQTSSGKVPSLTSSPSDMLSTTASCPSLSP SPTPYARSVTSEHDVDFCDPRNLTVSVGSNPTLAPEFTLLADDIKGEPLPTAAQPSFDFNPALP SGLPTFEDFSDLESEADFSSLVNLGEINPVDISRPRACTGSSVVSLGHGSFIGDEDLSFDDEAF HFPSLPSPTSSVDFCDVHQDKRQKKDRKEAKPVMNSAAGGSQSGNEQAGATEAASAASDSNASS ASDEPSSSMPAPTNRRGRKQSLTEDPSKTFVCDLCNRRFRRQEHLKRHYRSLHTQEKPFECNEC GKKFSRSDNLAQHARTHSGGAIVMNLIEESSEVPAYDGSMMAGPVGDDYSTYGKVLFQIASEIP GSASELSSEEGEQGKKKRKRSD

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, the amino acid sequence of the Seb1 protein that is altered in production levels has a specified degree of overall amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, e.g., at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99% identity, to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The nucleotide sequences encoding each amino acid sequence can be identified from a BLAST search for each corresponding protein as is know to one skilled in the art.

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, the seb1 gene that is disrupted encodes a Seb1 protein that has a specified degree of overall amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, e.g., at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99% identity, to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

The amino acid sequence information provided, herein, readily allows the skilled person to identify a Seb1 protein, and the nucleic acid sequence encoding a Seb1 protein, in any filamentous fungi, and to make appropriate disruptions in the seb1 gene to affect the production of the Seb1 protein. The polynucleotide sequences encoding SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, can be found in the GenBank or JGI databases, as are known to one of skill in the art.

In another aspect, a method for altering the morphology of filamentous fungus cells is provided. The variant filamentous fungus cells exhibit altered growth morphology on solid medium and produce cell broth having different viscosities when grown in submerged culture compared to parental cell growth and cell broth viscosities.

In some cases, the method comprises disrupting the seb1 gene in a parental strain using suitable genetic methods, wherein during aerobic fermentation the disrupted seb1 variant strain produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content or maintains an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain. Such methods can be used to disrupt the seb1 gene in any manner described above and elsewhere as are known to one of skill in the art. Preferably, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed by genetic manipulation using sequence-specific molecular biology techniques, as opposed to chemical mutagenesis, which is generally not targeted to specific nucleic acid sequences. However, chemical mutagenesis can be used with satisfactory results.

In some embodiments, the parental strain into which the reduced viscosity phenotype is introduced creating a reduced viscosity strain already comprises a gene of interest intended to be expressed at high levels. In this manner, the present methods obviate the need to introduce a gene of interest into a pre-existing reduced viscosity strain for production. Thus, the present methods can be used to produce a reduced viscosity variant strain of filamentous fungus cells from a parental strain already comprising a gene of interest.

IV. Additive Effect Produced by Altering Sfb3 Production

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, genetic alterations that affect Seb1 production or Mpg1 and Seb1 production, are combined with genetic alterations that affect Sfb3 production. The Sfb3 gene (also known as Lst1) has previously been characterized in budding yeast (i.e., Saccharomyces cerevisiae), where it encodes a protein associated with the COPII protein coat surrounding transport vesicles that carry proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Sfb3, as well as Sfb2, are homologs of Sec24, all of which genes are involved with packaging specific cargo proteins into the vesicles.

While Sec24 is an essential gene in yeast, Sfb3 and Sfb2 are not, although the deletion of Sfb3 in yeast is known to affect the transport of a plasma membrane transport protein (Pma1p) and a glucanosyltransferase (Gas1p) that is involved in cell wall synthesis.

Using BLAST to search the publicly available genome sequence of Trichoderma reesei using S. cerevisiae Sec24p, Sfb3p or Sfb2p amino acid sequences as query sequences reveals that T. reesei has a single gene that is most closely homologous to yeast Sec24 and a single gene that is most closely homologous to yeast Sfb3. No other homolog was identified suggesting that T. reesei does not have a gene equivalent to Sfb2. Moreover, homologs of the Sfb3 proteins were found in e.g., T. reesei (SEQ ID NO: 6), A. oryzae (SEQ ID NO: 7), A. niger (SEQ ID NO: 8), P. funiculosum (SEQ ID NO: 9), P. chrysogenum (SEQ ID NO: 10), N. Crassa (SEQ ID NO: 11), and F. oxysporum (SEQ ID NO: 12):

Trichoderma reesei Sfb3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 6): MDYTQYHALGHGEVLDPNDPNKTSAPAAPQFQPPSSPYVPPGSPYGAPPYHGGHQAPPMAMPPP STPGYGPPQGQSFPGSPMPSQDAGLAAQFGGMSLGADAGGAAARKKKKDRHAYHSVEPTGSSQA FNGLPPGTPAEQFLNVNNPQGIPALGGQFGSPLASPMGTPHMANPGQFPAPTSPFTPSAPVSPA EFASRFGSPDAATSIGSAGPSQVSPDDMPSIPASRDAIQEHFFKNVYPTFERHVPPPATVSFVA FDQGNASPKFTRLTLNNIPTTAEGLHATGLPLGMLIQPLAPLQAGEAEIPVLDFGDAGPPRCRR CRAYINPFMMFRSGGNKFVCNLCSYPNETPPEYFCAVSPQGVRLDRDQRPELHRGTVEFVVPKE YWTREPVGLRWLFVIDVTQESYNKGFMETFCEGILAALYGGNDEENDEDGEPKRRIPKGAKVGF ITYDKDIHFYNINPHLDQAHMMIMPDLEDPFLPLGEGLFVDPYESKAIITSLLTRLPEMFSTIK NPEPALLATLNAAVAALEATGGKVVCSCSTLPTWGPGRLFMRDDGNHPGGELDKKLYTTEHPAW KKVSEKMASSGIGVDFFLAAPSGGYLDIATIGHVAATTGGETFYYPNFIAPRDGARLSMEITHA ITRETGFQALMKVRCSTGLQVAAYEGNFVQHTFGADLEIGVIDADKALGVSFSEMGKLDPKLDA HFQTALLYTTASGQRRVRCSNVIASVSDISKESNTKELAIRQCLKFVDQDAVVGIFAKEASTKL ATTSANLQDVRNWLTERTIDIMAYYKKHSANQFPPSQLVMPERLKEFCMYMLGMLKCRAFKGGI ENSDRRVHELRMVRSMGPLELSLYLYPRMIALHNLQPEEGFADPETGHLKMPPSVRTSFSRVEP GGVYLVDNGQQCLLWFHAQTSPNLITDLFGEGEMSLKGLDPYTSTLPVLETHLSAQVRNIIEFL KSMRGSKGMTIQLARQGIDGAEYEFARMLVEDRNNEAKSYVDWLVHIHRGVQLELSGQRKKEGD GEATAVMANFAGLRPAYW Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 Sfb3 amino acid sequence (GI: 83766074; SEQ ID NO: 7): MADQSMYNTLGQGTSPAEDPSNPNRMAHQVPPQSQPAAGFPPGPYPPQPGAYYGNPPPNQYDAPAA APPTQQLQSPPPRGLAPSPQLAYGTETQTHMGAPADPMAGLASQMSGLGIMGDSGARPGKKKHRHA HHEIGGATASAPQQFAGMPQAGMQPSSQFLNTGLNQAPRPISPAAGVPPAGIVPQPGVPAPGSGSV PTQGKIDPEQIPSIPQSRDIPTMYYFDHIYPTMERHLPPPAAVPFVAHDQGNSSPKHARLTLNNIP TTSDFLSSTALPLGMVLQPLARLDPGEPEVPVLDFGEMGPPRCRRCRAYINPFMTFRSGGNKFVCN MCTFPNDVAPEYFAPLDMSGARVDRLQRPELMIGTVEFMVPKEYWNKEPVGLQRLFLIDVSQESVN RGFLKGVCKGITEALYGAPDASEEDAAARRVPEGSKIGIVTYDREVHFYNLSAQLDQAQMMVMTDL EEPFVPLSEGLFVDPYESKDIITSLLHRIPKIFSHIKKPEPALLPALNAAMSALQATGGKIFASIC SLPTWGPGALHMRDDPKVHGTDAERKLFTIDNQAWRITAGKMAEHGIGVDMFVAAPGGTYVDVATI GHVAEVSGGETFFYPNFHAPRDILKLSQEFAHAVTRETGYQAMMKVRCSNGLQVSAYHGNFIQHAL GADLEIGSIDADKAIGVMFSYDGKLDPKLDAHFQAALLYTTAEGQRRVRCINVVAAVNEGGLETMK FIDQDCVVSIMAKEAAAKTVDKSLKDIRASITEKTVDIFSGYRKVFSGSHPPGQLVLPENLKEFSM YMLALIKSRAFKGGQEASDRRIHDMRMLRSIGATELALYLYPRVIPIHNMQPEDGFPNEQGQLQVP PSLRASFSKIEEGGAYLVDNGQICLLWLHSRVSPNLLEDLLGPGQSSLQGLNPQTSSLPVLETHLN AQVRNLLQYFSTMRGSKSVAIQLARQGLDGAEYEFARLLVEDRNNEAQSYVDWLVHIHRQINLELA GHRKREDTSAEGSLTSLAGLRAPYW Aspergillus niger Sfb3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) MADPNMYHTYGQAPVPGENPSDPNQMAYQVPPQGYPAAGIPPGPSPPQPGAAYGVPAPNQQWPA YGSPPPAQQPLQQPPSQFAHQADPQAAMGAPVDPGMAGLASQMSGLGIMGGEGGAARSSKKKHR HAHHEIAGASASVAQPFAAAPQDPMQPTSQFLNTGLNQAPRPISPAASIPAPVNPAFGGGAGAV PTQGKVDPEQIPSIPRSRDLPAQYYFNHVYPTMERHLPPPAAVPFVAHDQGNSSPKYARLTLNN IPSTSDFLSSTGLPLGMVLQPLARLDGEQPIPVLDFGDAGPPRCRRCRAYINPFMSFRSGGNKF VCNMCTFPNDVPPEYFAPLDPSGSRIDRMQRPELMMGTVEFLVPKDYWNKEPVGLQWLLLIDVS QESVNKGFLKGVCKGIMEALYSEETENPEDEAPARRIPEGAKIGIVTYDKEVHFYNLSAQLDQA QMMVMTDLEEPFVPLSEGLFVDPYESKDVITSLLQRIPSIFSHVKNPQPALLPALNAALSALRP TGGKIVGTIASLPTWGPGALSLRDDPKVHGTDAERKLFTTEHAGWRETAGHLAEAGIGLDMFIA APSGTYMDVATIGHIPEVTGGETFFYPNFHAPRDIRKLSKELAHAITRETGYQALMKVRCSNGL QVSGYHGNFVQHTFGADLEIGAIDADKAIGVVFSYDGKLDPKLDAHFQAALLYTSANGQRRVRC INTVAAVNEGGMETMKFVDQDAVVAMVAKDAASKTLDKSLKDIRAGVSEKTVDIFSGYRKIFSG SHPPGQLVLPENLKEFSMYMLSLIKSRAIKGGQEASDRRIHDMRMLRSIGCTELSLYLYPRIIP IHNMQPTDGFPNEQGQLQVPPSLRASFSKIEEGGAYLVDNGQQCLLWLHSHVSPNLLEDLFGEG QTSLQGLSPQISTIPVLETHLNAQVRNLLQYFSTIRGSKAVTIQLARQGLDGAEYEFARMLVED RNNEAQSSVDWLVHIHRQINLELAGHRKREDTAGEGGLTSLAGLRAPYW Penicillium funiculosum Sfb3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 9) MADYSTYHSSGYAGAPGEDPNRQQPAVPAPYHSPNAPPGQAIQQPGITPYGAAQPPQFPGQPGV GYGVAPVPSPPQALGGPDVGDLATRIGGLGIISDAGTRSHKKKHRHAYHDIGGPNAQGLNTFPS QTNLQSQFLNTGLNQPEQQPAAPAAFPGAPVGQVPANVAPGAAPEVGGVGSVPTQGKIDPEQIP SVPRSRDLPAQYYFNNVYPTMERHVPPPASIPFIAHDQGNSSPKVARLTLNNIPSSSDFLQSTG LPLGMILQPLAKLDAGEQPVPVIDFGDIGPPRCRRCRTYINPFMTFRSGGNKFVCNMCTFPNDV PPEYFAPVDPSGVRVDRLQRPELMLGTVEFTVPKEYWVKEPAGLHQLFLIDVSQESVNRGFLKG VCDGIINALYGEEEPVEGAEPETRKVPEGSKIGIVTFDREIHFYNLLPRLDKAQMMVMTDLEEP FVPLSEGLFVDPYESKDVITSLLEQLPSLFARVKSPESTLLPTIKAAISALQATGGKIICCLTS LPTYGPGKLVMKDKSQAPDGENKLFAIDNPDYKAAATKLTEAGVGIDFFVAAPGGSFMDLTTIG YTAAISGGECFFYPNFHSPRDSLKLAQEISHTVTRETGYQALMKVRCSNGLQVSAYYGNFLQHT FGADLEIGTIDADKALGVLFSYDGKLDPKLDAHFQAALLYTAANGQRRVRCINIVAGVNEGGIE TMKCIDQDAVVAIIAKEAASKAGDKTLKDIRASITEKTVDIFSGYRKNFSGSHPPGQLVLPENL KEFSMYMLGLLKSRAFKGGSETADRRVHDLRMLRSIGCLELSLYLYPRIIPIHNMSAEDGFANE QGQLQVPPALRASFSRVEEGGAYLIDNGQGILLWIHSFVSPNLLEDLFGPGITSLQALDPNTSS LPVLETHLNAQVRNLLQYLSTVRGSKAVTIQLARQGIDGAEYEFARSLVEDRNNEAQSYVDWLV HIHRQINLELAGHRKKEDSATSSGEGALSSLAGIRAPYW Penicillium chrysogenum Sfb3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 10) MADSSMYNTMGQGSSEDPSNPQYMAQVPPQQYPAGYPPTAAPLQPGAPYANPAPNQWPAYGSPQ QPGMASPGIAYNAPQQPMGAAVDPGMAGLASQMGGLDIAADAGARTHRKKHRHAHHDIGGGAAP PAQGFNTGMDQGGLQQPQPQQQSQFLNTGLNQHADRPVSPAVGLVSGQSVAAIPGIQSGAGSVP TSGRIDPEHIPSIPRSRDLPAQYYFNHVYPTMDQHLPPPAAIPFVAQDQGNSSPKYARLTLNNI PSASDFLTSTGLPLGMILQPLAPLDPGEQPIPVLDFGDVGPPRCRRCRTYINPFMSFRSGGSKF VCNMCTFPNDTPPEYFAPLDPSGARVDRMQRPELLMGTVEFTVPKEYWNKEPVGLQTLFLIDVS RESVHRGFLKGVCAGIKDALYGDDDKASEGTEGDGSSRKLPVGAKVGIVTYDKEVHFYNLAAAL DQAQMMVMTDLDEPFVPLSEGLFVDPYESKSVITSLLSRIPKIFSSIKNPESALLPTLNSALSA LQATGGKIVCAVASLPTCGPGHLAIREDPKVHGTDAERKLFTTENPAWKKTASKLAEAGVGLDL FMAAPGGTYLDVATIGHVSSLIGGETFFYPNFHAPRDLLKLRKEIAHAVTRETGYQTLMKVRCS NGLQVSAYHGNFVQHTLGADLEIAGVDADKAVGVLFSYDGKLDPKLDAHFQAALLYTSADGQRR VRCINVVAAVNEGGLETMKFVDQDAVVSVIAKEAASKTLDKNLKDIRASISEKTVDIFSGYRKI FSGSHPPGQLVLPENLKEFSMYMLSLVKSRAFKAGPESSDRRIHDMRLIRSMGCTEMALYLYPR IIPVHNMQPEDGFANEHGQLQIPPTMRASYSRIEDGGVYIVDNGQAILLWIHAQVSPNLLEDLF GPGHNSLQGLNPNTSSLPVLETHLNAQVRNLLQYLSTVRGSKSVTIQLARQGLDGAEYEFARLL LEDRNNEAQSYVDWLVHIHRQINLELAGHRKKEEGGEGALASLSAMRTPYW Neurospora crassa Sfb3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 11) MADYTMYHALGQGETLDPNDPNRITQPAPPQFQPPVAPNPYHPGAEYNAPGQQQQQQQQYGQQY GQQYGQQYGQQQYGQEYGHQQQQQQQQQYGAPSPYGAPPAHSPVSPMDDVGLAAQMGGMSLGAG AGAADHHGRKKKKDRHAFHTVEAPAGSSQPFNGMPPAGIPATQFLNADPSLAGRIPGPGHGQFP MPASPAFGPVPTSAADFAARDATQGVGSGVFAAGGPQGGKPSPDDTPSVPLSRDAVQPYFHTNV YPTFERLVPPPAVTSFVALDQGNSSPKFARLTMTNLPASAEGLKSTGLPLGLLLQPLAETQPGE LPIPVLDFGEQGPPRCHRCRAYMNPFMMFKAGGNKFVCNLCIYANDTPPEYFCALSPQGVRVDR DQRPELTRGTVEFVVPKEYWTKEPVGMRYLFVIDVTQESYNKGFLESFCEGILSALYGGSEEGE DQDETGEPKRKIPAGAKVGFVTFDQEIHFYNVSPALEQAQMIVMPDIEDPFLPLSDGLFVDPYE SKAVISSLLTRLPQMFSNIKNPEPALLSALNSAVAALEKTGGKVFCSLAALPTWGPGRLFMRDD GKHPGGEPDKKLFTTEHPGWRKLAEKMVSLGVGADFFMASPSGGYLDIATIGHVSSTIGGETFF YPNFVVQRDSTKLSLEIHHAVRRETGYAALMKVRCSNGLQVNAYHGNFIQHTFGADLEIGVIDA DKALAVTFGYDGKLDSKLDAHFQAALLYTTASGQRRVRCINVIAGVSDLARDCMKYIDQDAIVS ILAKEASTKLSTTSANLKEVRSSLTEKTIDILALYRKNHLAVPHPPQQLVMPERLKEFTMYVLG MLKCRAFKGGNETTDRRVHDMRLIRSMGARELSLYLYPRIIPLHSLQPEDGYPDATIGHLRMPS TMRASFARVEPGGVYLVDNGQVCLLWMHAQTAPALIQDLFGEDKTTLQSLDPYTSTIPVLETHL NAQTRNIIEYMRTVRGSKGLTIQLARQGIDGAEFEFARMLVEDRNNEAQSYVDWLVHVHKGVQL ELAGQRKREDGESHSALGSFTGLRPAYW Fusarium oxysporum Sfb3 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 12) MADYAQYHALGQGEVIDPNDPNRTSQPSAQQFQPPIAPSPYQQQASPYGAPQYLGGQQAPPPMT GSPAPAPGYGYAPPQAQAPPGQAPPSQDATLAAQLGGMNLGDGHGTARRKKKDRHAYHTVEPTG SSQAFNGMPPQGTSATQFLDSVPGGPGFGGQFGSPQGTPQMQSQSQFSAPVNPAFGPGPVAGTP GVGEGLGTASVSTSGPKGVSPDDMPSVPASRDAIQQYYLKNVYPTFERHVPPPSTVSFVAYDQG NSSPKYTRLTLNNIPTTQDALQATGLSLGLLLQPLAPLQAGEAEIPVLDFGEAGPPRCRRCRAY MNPFMMFRSGGNKFVCNLCAYPNDTPPEYFSATNPQGVRVDRDTRPELHRGTVEFVVPKEYWTR EPVGLRWLFLIDVTQESYNKGYVEAFCEGIRVALYGGEDQELDENGEPKRRIPEGAKVGFVTYD KDIHFYNVNPALDQAQMMIMPDLEDPFVPLSEGLFVDPYESKDVITSLLTRLPDMFSTIKNPEP ALLAALNSALAALEATGGKVVASCSALPTWGPGRLFMRDNGNHPGGEIDKKLYTTEEPAWKKVA EKMAASGVGADFFLAAPSGGYLDIATIGHVSSTIGGETFYYPNFIAARDSRKLSLEISHAVTRE TGFQALMKVRCSNGLQVSGYHGNFIQHTFGADLEIGVIDADKAMGVSFSYDGKLDPKLDAHFQS ALLYTTASGERRVRCSNVIASVTETSKESGAREQGIRECLKFVDQDAVIGMLAKEASTKLATTS SNLKDIRHWLSEKAIDVLACYRKHAAQQHPPGQLVMPERLKEYCMYLLGLLKCRALKGGVENSD RRVHEMRMLRSMGALELSLYLYPRMIPIHNLAPEEGFADPETGHLKMPPAIRTSFSRVEPGGVY LVDNGQQCLLWFHSQTSPNLISDLFGEDKDSLKSLDPYTSALPLLETHLNAQVRNIIEFLRTMR GSKGLTIQLARQGIDGAEFDFARMLVEDRNNEAQSYVDWLVHIHKGVQLELSGQRKKEGEEHTA ASLSNFAGLRPAYW

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, the amino acid sequence of the Sfb3 protein that is altered in production levels has a specified degree of overall amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, e.g., at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99% identity, to SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The nucleotide sequences encoding each amino acid sequence can be identified from a BLAST search for each corresponding protein as is know to one skilled in the art.

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, a sfb3 gene is disrupted, wherein the sfb3 gene encodes a Sfb3 protein that has a specified degree of overall amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, e.g., at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99% identity, to SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

An alignment of the amino acid sequences of the Sfb3 proteins from approximately 40 Pezizomycotina species revealed a specific amino acid sequence, i.e., IQLARQGXDGXEXXXARXLXEDRNXEAXSXVDWL (SEQ ID NO: 13, where X is any amino acid residue), which is close to the C-terminus of the Sfb3 proteins, and not found in Sec24 proteins. This consensus sequence can be used to identify Sfb3 proteins and variants thereof in other members of the Pezizomycotina.

The skilled person will appreciate that genetic alterations that affect Sfb3 production can be made in the same manner as genetic alterations that affect Mpg1 and/or Seb1 production, which are detailed, herein. Alterations in the Sfb3 protein resulting in alterations in viscosity are further described in PCT Publication No. WO 2012/027580 A1, published 1 Mar. 2012, filed as International Application No. PCT/US2011/049164, filed 25 Aug. 2011, incorporated herein by reference.

V. Additive Effect Produced by Altering Mpg1 Production

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, genetic alterations that affect Seb1 production, or Seb1 and Sfb3 production, are combined with genetic alterations that affect Mpg1 production. As described by Kruszewska et al. (1998) Cur. Genet. 33:445-50 and Zakrzewska et al. (2003) Applied and Environmental Microbiology 69:4383-89), Mpg 1(PID 122551) from Trichoderma reesei encodes a GTP:alpha-D-mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase. Over-expression of the mpg1 gene increases GDP-mannose levels, which can play a major regulatory role in early stages of protein glycosylation. However, Mpg1 has heretofore not been associated with altered morphology, particularly not an altered morphology that gives rise to a low viscosity phenotype.

The amino acid sequence of the Trichoderma reesei Mpg1 protein (PID 122551) is shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 36: MKGLILVGGFGTRLRPLTLTLPKPLVEFCNKPMIVHQIEALVAAGVTDIVLAVNYRPEIMEKFL AEYEEKYNINIEFSVESEPLDTAGPLKLAERILGKDDSPFFVLNSDVICDYPFKELLEFHKAHG DEGTIVVTKVEEPSKYGVVVHKPNHPSRIDRFVEKPVEFVGNRINAGMYIFNPSVLKRIELRPT SIEKETFPAMVADNQLHSFDLEGFWMDVGQPKDFLSGTCLYLSSLIKKGSKELTPPTEPYVHGG NVMIHPSAKIGKNCRIGPNVTIGPDVVVGDGVRLQRCVLLKGSKVKDHAWVKSTIVGWNSTVGR WARLENVTVLGDDVTIGDEIYVNGGSVLPHKSIKANVDVPAIIM The amino acid sequence of the Neurospora crassa Mpg1 protein is shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 37: MKALILVGGFGTRLRPLTLTMPKPLVEFGNKRMILHQIEALAAAGVTDIVLAVNYRPEIMEKYL AEYEKQFGINITISIESEPLGTAGPLKLAEDVLRKDDTPFFVLNSDVICEYPFKELAAFHKAHG DEGTIVVTKVEEPSKYGVVVHKPNHPSRIDRFVEKPVQFVGNRINAGLYIFNPSVIDRVELRPT SIEQETFPAMVRDGQLHSFDLEGFWMDIGQPKDFLIGTCLYLSSLIKKGSKELAPTTLPYIHGG NVLIDPSAKIGKNCRIGPNVTIGPNVVVGDGVRLQRCVLLEGSKVKDHAWVKSTIVGWNSTVGK WARLENVTVLGDDVTIGDEIYVNGGSILPHKTIKANVDVPAIIM The amino acid sequence of the Aspergillus oryzae Mannose-1-phosphate guanyltransferase protein is shown, below, as SEQ ID NO: 38: MKGVGGGTRRTTKVCNKMVHAVAAGVTDVAVNYRMKAYKMKAVGGGTRRTTKVGNRMHVSAAAG VTDVAVNYRDVMVSAKKYYNNSVSDTAGKARGKDDSVNSDVCDYKHKAHGDGTVVTKVYNVKSV SGTAGKAKGKDDSVNSDVCDYKAHKKHGDGTVVTKVDSKYGVVVHKNHSRDRVKVVGNRNAGMY NSVKRRTSKTAMVADNHSSKYGVVVHKNHSRDRVKVVGNRNAGYMNSVNRRTSTACKDGHSDGW MDVGKDSGTCYSSTKKGSKTTYVHGGNVMHSAKGKNCRGNVTGDGWMDVGKDSGTCYTSAKRNS KANSYVYGGNVMVDSAKGKNCRGNVVGDVVVGDGVRRCVKGSKVKDHAWVKSTVGWNSTVGRWA RNVTVGDDVTGDYVNGGSVHNVVVGDGVRRCVNSKVKDHAWVKSTVGWNSSVGRWARNVTVGDD VTADVYVNGGSHKSKANVDVAMKSKNVDVAM

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, the amino acid sequence of the Mpg1 protein that is altered in production levels has a specified degree of overall amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 36, 37, or 38, e.g., at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99% identity, to SEQ ID NOs: 36, 37, or 38. The nucleotide sequences encoding each amino acid sequence can be identified from a BLAST search for each corresponding protein as is know to one skilled in the art.

In some embodiments of the present compositions and methods, the mpg1 gene that is disrupted encodes a Mpg1 protein that has a specified degree of overall amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 36, 37, or 38, e.g., at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or even at least about 99% identity, to at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 36, 37, or 38.

The amino acid sequence information provided, herein, readily allows the skilled person to identify an Mpg1 protein, and the nucleic acid sequence encoding an Mpg1 protein, in any filamentous fungi, and to make appropriate disruptions in the mpg1 gene to affect the production of the Mpg1 protein. The polynucleotide sequences encoding SEQ ID NOs: 36, 37, or 38 can be found in the GenBank or JGI databases, as are known to one of skill in the art.

The skilled person will appreciate that genetic alterations that affect Mpg1 production can be made in the same manner as genetic alterations that affect Seb1 and/or Sfb3 production, which are detailed, herein. Alterations in the Mpg1 protein resulting in alterations in viscosity are further described in Provisional Patent Application No. 61/478,162, filed 22 Apr. 2011, incorporated herein by reference.

VI. Utility

The use of reduced viscosity strains of filamentous fungi is known to improve the distribution of oxygen and nutrients in a submerged culture, reduce the amount of energy required to agitate a submerged culture, and increase the cell mass present in the culture, leading to increased protein production. Moreover, the present variant strains of filamentous fungus offer significant advantages over previously-described reduced viscosity strains.

First, the present variant strains can have a fully defined genome, making them well-suited for subsequent genetic manipulation, complementation, mating, and the like. Second, the present strains are not adversely affected in protein production, for example, by the manipulation(s) that resulted in the attendant viscosity alteration. Third, reduced viscosity strains can be produced from essentially any parental strain, including parental strains that already produce a protein intended for high level expression (i.e., a protein of interest), already encode a selectable marker, or already include other features that are desirable in a production host. Thus, the present strain and methods eliminate the need to transfer a gene encoding a protein of interest into a preexisting reduced viscosity production strain.

The present strains and methods find use in the production of commercially important protein in submerged cultures of filamentous fungi. Commercially important proteins include, for example, cellulases, xylanases, pectinases, lyases, proteases, kinases, amylases, pullulanases, lipases, esterases, perhydrolases, transferases, laccases, catalases, oxidases, reductases, chlorophyllases, hydrophobin, chymosin, carbonic anhydrase, hymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, tyrosine kinases, multi-drug resistance proteins (e.g., ABC P-gp proteins), CAD (carbamyl-P synthase, aspartate transcarbamylase, dihydroorotase), topoisomerases, ribonucleotide reductase, and antibodies and other enzymes and non-enzyme proteins capable of being expressed in filamentous fungi. Such proteins can be suitable for industrial, pharmaceutical, animal health and food and beverage use.

The following numbered paragraphs further describe various aspects and embodiments of the present compositions and methods. The subject matter of each of the numbered paragraphs can be used alone or in combination with the subject matter of any other numbered paragraph, as indicated.

1. In one aspect, a variant strain of filamentous fungus derived from a parental strain is provided, the variant strain comprising a genetic alteration that causes cells of the variant strain to produce an altered amount of functional Seb1 protein compared to cells of the parental strain, wherein the cells of the variant strain produce during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires an altered amount of agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an altered dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain. 2. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 1, the altered amount of functional Seb1 protein is a reduced amount, and the variant strain produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain. 3. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraphs 1 or 2, the genetic alteration comprises a disruption of the seb1 gene present in the parental strain. 4. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 3, disruption of the seb1 gene is the result of deletion of all or part of the seb1 gene. 5. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 3, disruption of the seb1 gene is the result of deletion of a portion of genomic DNA comprising the seb1 gene. 6. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 3, disruption of the seb1 gene is the result of mutagenesis of the seb1 gene. 7. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 3-6, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed using site-specific recombination. 8. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 3-7, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene. 9. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-8, the variant strain does not produce functional Seb1 protein. 10. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-8, the variant strain does not produce Seb1 protein. 11. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-10, the variant strain further comprises a gene encoding a protein of interest. 12. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-11, further comprises a disruption of the sfb3 gene. 13. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-12, the variant strain further comprises a disruption of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene. 14. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-13, the variant strain produces substantially the same amount of, or more, protein per unit amount of biomass as the parental strain. 15. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-14, the filamentous fungus is a Pezizomycotina species. 16. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-15, the filamentous fungus is a Trichoderma spp. 17. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 1-16, the filamentous fungus is Trichoderma reesei. 18. In another aspect, a method for producing a variant strain of filamentous fungus cells is provided, comprising: introducing a genetic alteration into a parental strain of filamentous fungal cell, which genetic alteration alters the production of functional Seb1 protein compared to the cells of the parental strain, thereby producing a variant filamentous fungal cell that produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires an altered amount of agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an altered dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain. 19. In some embodiments of the method of paragraph 18, the genetic alteration reduces or prevents the production of functional Seb1 protein, thereby producing a variant filamentous fungal cell that produces during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture a cell broth that (i) requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain. 20. In some embodiments of the method of paragraph 18 or 19, the genetic alteration comprises disrupting the seb1 gene in a parental filamentous fungal cell using genetic manipulation. 21. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-20, the genetic alteration comprises deleting the seb1 gene in a parental filamentous fungal cell using genetic manipulation. 22. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-21, the genetic alteration is performed using site-specific genetic recombination. 23. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-22, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene. 24. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-23, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the sfb3 gene. 25. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-24, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disruption of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene. 26. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-25, the variant strain produces substantially the same amount of, or more, protein per unit amount of biomass as the parental strain. 27. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-26, the filamentous fungus is a Pezizomycotina species. 28. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-27, the filamentous fungus is a Trichoderma spp. 29. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-28, the filamentous fungus is Trichoderma reesei. 30. In some embodiments of the method of any of paragraphs 18-29, the parental strain further comprises a gene encoding a protein of interest. 31. In some embodiments of the method of paragraph 30, the gene encoding the protein of interest is present in the parental strain prior to introducing the genetic alteration that reduces or prevents the production of functional Seb1 protein. 32. In another aspect, a protein of interest produced by the variant strain of paragraph 11 is provided. 33. In another aspect, a variant strain of filamentous fungus produced by the method of any of paragraphs 18-31 is provided. 34. In another aspect, a variant strain of filamentous fungus derived from a parental strain is provided, the variant strain comprising: (a) a genetic alteration that results in (i) a requirement for reduced agitation in submerged culture to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintenance of an increased dissolved oxygen content in submerged culture at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and (b) a gene encoding a protein of interest, wherein the gene encoding the protein of interest is present in the variant strain prior to the genetic alteration in (a). 35. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 34, the genetic alteration comprises a disruption of the seb1 gene present in the parental strain. 36. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 35, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene. 37. In some embodiments of the variant strain of paragraph 35 or 36, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene. 38. In some embodiments of the variant strain of any of paragraphs 35-37, disruption of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the mpg1 gene.

These and other aspects and embodiments of the present strains and methods will be apparent to the skilled person in view of the present description. The following examples are intended to further illustrate, but not limit, the strains and methods.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Identification of the Seb1 Gene as Responsible for Morphological Changes in Filamentous Fungus

A. Overview

Filamentous fungi disruption libraries were prepared by transforming an exemplary filamentous fungus, i.e., Trichoderma reesei, with a nucleic acid containing the pyr4 gene, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. In this manner, the pyr4 gene served as both a selectable marker and a gene tag. The particular A. tumefaciens strain used was EHA 105, which is considered to be a hypervirulent (Hood et al., 1993). However, other A. tumefaciens strains, e.g., A136 and EHA 101, produce similar transformation frequencies in T. reesei. A. rhizogenes strains, e.g., ATCC 43057, can also be used. The particular disruption library contained about 50,000 transformants.

B. Preparation of DNA

The vector used for disruption was based on the PZP 100 vector, which includes the left and right T-DNA border regions, a pBR322 bom site for mobilization from E. coli to Agrobacterium, ColE1 and pVS1 plasmid origins for replication in E. coli and Agrobacterium, respectively, and a bacterial marker for conferring chloramphenicol resistance (Hajdukiewiez, O. et al., 1994). A representation of the vector is shown in FIG. 1B, with a schematic of the T-DNA disruption cassette being shown in FIG. 1A.

An expression cassette containing the pyr4 gene was prepared by standard molecular biology techniques and ligated into the PZP vector at the BamHI site. The resulting vector was propagated in E. coli XL gold cells (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif., USA). LA agar plates (10 g/L tryptone, 5 g/L yeast extract, 10 g/L NaCl, 10 g/L agar) with 25 ppm chloramphenicol were used to select for E. coli transformants. About 1-10% of the E. coli transformants had the desired vector. E. coli containing the vector were grown in LB medium (10 g/L tryptone, 5 g/L yeast extract, 10 g/L NaCl) plus 25 ppm chloramphenicol. Vector DNA was isolated using standard methods.

C. Transformation of Agrobacterium Cells

Competent Agrobacterium cells were made as follows. Briefly, Agrobacterium cells were revived from cryopreservation by growing on LA medium at 28° C. for about three days. Colonies were then selected and grown in LB medium containing 0.1% glucose in 50 ml volumes in 250 ml dented bottom flasks at 28° C. until growth was apparent. Alternatively, colonies were started in a 5 ml culture tube and transferred to a 250 ml flask when growth was apparent. About 10% of the volume of the 250 ml flask was then transferred into a fresh flask with the same medium, which was grown to an OD (600 nm; OD₆₀₀) of about 0.4-0.8 (about 5-6 hours of growth). The cells were recovered by centrifugation in a cold centrifuge at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes, and then washed three times in cold 1 M HEPES, pH 7.0. Next, the cells were washed once in cold 1 mM HEPES with 10% glycerol, and aliquots were frozen at −70° C. Cell viability was determined (typically about 1×10⁹ CFU/ml after freezing).

The vector DNA was used to transform Agrobacterium cells by electroporation. Competent Agrobacterium cells were thawed on ice and about 40 μl of the cells were mixed with about 1 μg of DNA in a 0.2 cm electroporation cell (on ice). The cells were electroporated at 2.5 volts (200 Ohms, at 25 μF) with a Buchler 3-150 electroporator. SOC medium (Invitrogen) was added to the electroporation cell immediately after electroporation. Alternatively, the Agrobacterium cells can be transformed by electroporation using the ligation mixture, thereby eliminating the need to propagate the vector DNA in E. coli. In the alternative method, about 1 μl of the ligation mixture is used for transformation. After the addition of SOC to the electroporation mixture, dilutions of the mixture were plated onto LA medium plus 250 ppm chloramphenicol culture plates and incubated at 28° C. for four days. 1×10⁷ CFU/ml of Agrobacterium transformants were obtained and about 90-100% contained the vector DNA, as determined by PCR analysis. As little at 25 ppm chloramphenicol can be used to obtain colonies in a shorter time frame but a larger number of colonies must to be screened to identify bonafide transformants.

D. Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of T. reesei

25 ml of minimal medium (2.05 g/L K₂HPO₄, 1.45 g/L KH₂PO₄, 0.15 g/L NaCl, 0.5 g/L MgSO₄.7.H₂O, 0.1 g/L CaCl₂.6.H₂O, 0.0025 g/L, FeSO₄.7.H₂O, 0.5 g/L (NH₄)₂SO₄, and 2 g/L glucose, with 25 ppm chloramphenicol added after sterilization) in a 250 ml flask was inoculated with either a frozen stock of vector-transformed Agrobacterium or directly from a fresh LA plate. The minimal medium culture was then incubated at 28° C. with shaking until cloudy (overnight to several days). 10 ml of the culture was transferred to 50 ml of induction medium (2.05 g/L K₂HPO₄, 1.45 g/L KH₂PO₄, 0.15 g/L NaCl, 0.5 g/L MgSO₄.7.H₂O, 0.1 g/L CaCl₂.6.H₂O, 0.0025 g/L, FeSO₄.7.H₂O, 0.5 g/L (NH₄)₂SO₄, 1.8 g/L glucose, 5 g/L glycerol, prepared in 40 mM MES, pH 5.3, with 200 μL of 1 M acetosyringone added after sterilization) in 250 ml flasks. The staring OD₆₀₀ was about 0.1, and the vector-transformed Agrobacterium cells were grown to an OD₆₀₀ of about 0.4-0.8.

A fresh culture of T. reesei T4 Δpyr4 cells (a whole-cellulase mutant strain derived from QM6A NRRL 3652, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Md., USA) was prepared by resuspending spores in 10 ml of sterile water. Transformation of the T. reesei T4 Δpyr4 cells was performed as follows: About 100 μl of Agrobacterium whole broth (OD₆₀₀=0.4-0.8) was mixed with 100 μl of fungal spores (10⁷ sfu/ml) in a tube (other ratios of Agrobacterium cells to fungal spores will also produce satisfactory results). About 0.1-1.0 ml of this mix was plated onto induction agar plates (induction medium with 15 g/L agar and 0.25 mg/mL uridine) with embedded nitrocellulose filters. The plates were incubated at about 18-28° C. for about 24-48 hours to allow the growth of the T. reesei cells. Next, the nitrocellulose filters were transferred to Vogel's medium (Vogel, Microbiol. Genet. Bull. 13:42-43, 1956) supplemented with 250 ppm carbenicillin to kill/inhibit Agrobacterium growth. The cultures were then incubated at 28° C. until growth of filamentous fungi (representing transformants of the disruption library) on the filters was evident.

E. Screening for Morphology Mutants

Transformants in the disruption library were screened for alterations in morphology in solid and liquid culture using light microscopy. Following transformation, individual transformants were picked from the nitrocellulose filters using a colony picker and transferred to 96-well microtiter plates containing potato dextrose agar (CP-700, Norgren Systems LLC, Fairlea, W. Va., USA). Alternatively, spores from transformants were combined, germinated, and single spores were added to microtiter plate wells using a cell sorter. Spores were collected by suspending spores from a Vogel's transformation plate in 20 ml sterile distilled water using a cell spreader. Spores were inoculated into a 250 mL flask containing 50 ml of a minimal medium and incubated at 28° C. with agitation for 24 h until germlings were obtained. Using high speed sorting (MoFlo sorter, Cytomation, Fort Collins, Colo., USA) at an event rate of 15,000 event per second, 60 psi with a 70 μm nozzle), individual germlings were separated into microtiter plate wells containing potato dextrose agar (Difco, Detroit, Mich., USA). The microtiter plates containing the transformants obtained by either method described above were incubated for 7 days at 28° C. The individual germinates spores were replicate plated into 384 well black sensoplates with glass bottoms (Greiner Bio-one, Germany) containing YEG (5 g yeast extract, 20 g glucose per 1 L water) and incubated at 20° C., for 24 h. The morphology of individual transformants was examined microscopically.

F. Isolation and Characterization of T. reesei T4 Mutant F16

Mutant F16 obtained from the above procedure was observed to have altered morphology on plates, and subsequently in liquid culture. On PDA plates Mutant F16, had restricted growth compared to the T4 parent. In liquid medium, F16 appeared to have shorter filaments than the T4 parent. Strains T4 and F16 were grown under identical conditions in submerged (liquid) culture, and their growth phenotypes were compared. Briefly, spores of each strain were added separately to 500-mL of medium in a 3-L flask with both side and bottom baffles. The cultures were grown in a minimal medium for 48 hrs at 34° C. in a shaking incubator.

After 48 hrs, the contents of each flask were added separately to 14-L fermentors containing 9.5 L of medium containing 4.7 g/L KH₂PO₄, 1.0 g/L MgSO₄.7.H₂O, 4.3 g/L (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 2.5 mL/L of the same trace element solution. These components were heat sterilized together at 121° C. for 30 minutes. A solution of 60% glucose and 0.48% CaCl₂.2.H₂O was separately autoclaved, cooled, and added to the fermentor to a final concentration of 75 g/L glucose and 0.6 g/L CaCl₂.2.H₂O. The medium was adjusted to pH 3.5 with 28% NH₃ and the temperature was maintained at 34° C. during the growth period. Once glucose was exhausted, the temperature was dropped to 28° C. and the cultures were fed glucose-sophorose.

A dissolved oxygen (DO) probe was calibrated to 100% when there was no added pressure in the headspace (i.e., 0 bar gauge, 1 bar absolute). The pressure in the headspace was then set to 0.7 bar (gauge), after which the oxygen probe read 170% before the seed culture was added. The fermentor contained two, four-blade turbines that provided mixing via a variable speed motor that was initially set at 500 rpm.

As the cultures grew, DO content levels dropped, at least partly as a consequence of the increased viscosity of the broth due to the proliferation of filamentous fungus hyphae. When the glucose was completely consumed, the amount of biomass produced in each fermentor was measured, and found to be substantially the same for both strains. The DO content level in each fermentor at a given level of agitation is an indirect measure of the viscosity of the different cell broths, due to the different strain growth phenotypes.

The nucleic acid sequence of the seb1 gene was obtained from the JGI data base. Protein ID: 76505, Name: estExt_GeneWisePlus.C_50617, available at; http://genome.jgi-psf.org/cgi-bin/dispGeneMode1?db=Trire2&id=76505, (The Genome Portal of the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute I. V. Grigoriev, H. Nordberg, I. Shabalov, A. Aerts, M. Cantor, D. Goodstein, A. Kuo, S. Minovitsky, R. Nikitin, R. A. Ohm, R. Otillar, A. Poliakov, I. Ratnere, R. Riley, T. Smirnova, D. Rokhsar, and I. Dubchak. Nucleic Acids Res 2011 0: gkr947v1-gkr947) as disclosed below. The untranslated region is italicized, coding regions are in bold and introns are in lower case (SEQ ID NO: 39):

GTTCTGCGCAACAAACCACCCTTCGCAAACATCCCCTCCTCTTCCTCCTCCATCACCCTTACCA TTACCAAAGACCGCCATCCATTCTTTCACCCGGAGCCGAAGACGACCCTCACCACTCTTTACTC TCTGCCTCTTCTTACAACAACCTGATTGCCTGGGCAATTGTATAATACGGACTACTACTTCTAC TATACAACAAACCAATAACGCTTAATATCTAAATCTATACCCTTCGGGACTCGGAAGCCATCGC AAACACACAAAAGAGgtcagacaaagaaccatggcagacaaaacaaaaaggactttcagagagc tgacttgtataccttttggctggaacagACAAGCA ATGGACGGCATGATGTCTCAACCCATGGG ACAGCAGGCGTTCTACTTCTACAACCACGAGCACAAGATGTCCCCTCGACAAGTCATCTTCGCA CAACAGATGGCCGCCTACCAGATGATGCCCTCGCTGCCGCCCACGCCCATGTACTCGCGACCAA ACTCGTCCTGCTCGCAGCCCCCGACTTTGTACAGCAACGGCCCTTCAGTCATGACTCCCACAAG CACACCCCCTCTGTCCTCGCGCAAGCCCATGCTGGTGGACACGGAGTTTGGCGACAACCCCTAC TTCCCCTCCACGCCGCCTCTGTCGGCCTCGGGCAGCACCGTCGGCAGCCCCAAGGCCTGCGACA TGCTGCAGACGCCCATGAACCCCATGTTCTCCGGCCTCGAGGGCATTGCCATCAAGGACAGCAT CGACGCCACCGAGAGCCTCGTCCTGGACTGGGCCAGCATCGCCTCGCCCCCCCTGTCGCCTGgt aagtcgtcgccttgttttctttaatttccgcagtcgaatgttccttggacccttcctctccgtc aatgccagcctttgtcgcgatgaactggcgccatggtggacatgctgctttagatgaatactgg ggcgggacagccggctaatccgcttcgggcagTGTATCTCCAGTCCCAGACCAGCTCGGGCAAG GTGCCCTCGCTTACCTCGAGCCCGAGCGACATGCTCTCCACCACAGCTTCGTGCCCTTCGCTGT CTCCCTCGCCAACTCCCTACGCGCGCTCCGTCACGTCGGAGCACGATGTTGACTTCTGCGATCC CCGCAACCTGACCGTCTCTGTTGGCTCCAACCCCACCCTGGCCCCGGAGTTTACCCTGCTGGCC GACGACATCAAGGGCGAGCCGCTGCCCACCGCTGCCCAGCCGTCCTTTGACTTCAACCCTGCGC TGCCCAGCGGCCTGCCGACCTTTGAGGACTTCTCCGATCTCGAGTCGGAAGCCGACTTCAGCAG CCTCGTCAACCTCGGCGAGATCAACCCCGTCGACATCTCCCGCCCCCGCGCCTGCACCGGCTCC TCGGTCGTCTCCCTGGGCCACGGCAGCTTCATTGGCGACGAGGACCTGAGCTTCGACGACGAGG CCTTCCACTTCCCCTCCCTGCCCAGCCCGACCTCGTCCGTCGACTTCTGCGACGTCCACCAGGA CAAGAGACAGAAGAAGGACCGCAAGGAGGCCAAGCCCGTCATGAACTCTGCTGCCGGCGGCTCC CAGTCCGGCAACGAGCAGGCTGGCGCCACCGAGGCCGCCTCTGCCGCCTCCGACTCCAATGCCT CCTCTGCCTCTGACGAGCCCTCTTCCTCCATGCCCGCCCCTACCAACCGCCGCGGTCGCAAGCA GTCGCTGACCGAGGATCCCTCAAAGACCTTTGTCTGCGACCTCTGCAACCGCCGCTTCCGTCGC CAGGAGCACCTCAAGCGTCACTACCGCTCCCTGCACACCCAGGAGAAGCCCTTTGAGTGCAACG AGTGCGGCAAGAAGTTCTCTCGCAGCGACAACCTGGCTCAGCACGCCCGCACCCACTCTGGTGG TGCCATTGTCATGAACCTCATCGAGGAGTCCTCCGAGGTGCCCGCCTACGATGGCAGCATGATG GCCGGGCCCGTGGGTGACGACTACAGCACCTATGGCAAGGTCCTGTTCCAGATCGCCTCAGAGA TCCCCGGAAGCGCCAGCGAGCTCTCCTCAGAAGAGGGCGAGCAGGGCAAGAAGAAGCGCAAGCG CTCCGATTAAATGACTTCCCCCCATCTCTCTCTCTCATACGCCTGACACGATTTTACACTTTGA CACTTCTCGCTTCGCTTCGGCGCAAGCCCTATTTCCACACATACACTTTTTTGCTAGAGGGGGA CCACCACCACACTATACAGGGAAAAAGCTCAAGCGGTTATGATTGCATTTCAAAACCTTTCAGT TCTTGTATCGACTTTGCA

As shown in FIG. 2, disruption of the seb1 gene in the F16 mutant resulted in a strain showing a higher level of dissolved oxygen during growth compared to cultures containing the T4 parent, while the levels of growth (FIG. 3) and protein production (not shown) were unaffected. Southern analysis showed that the F16 strain contained only one copy of the pyr4 gene, indicating that the single expected disruption event had taken place (not shown).

Inverse PCR was used to identify the insertion site of the T-DNA pyr4 gene in the F16 mutant by determining the pyr4 flanking regions. Briefly, high molecular-weight genomic DNA from strain F16 was digested to completion with the restriction enzymes PstI and NsiI. After heat inactivation of the enzymes, the reaction was diluted five-fold in ligation buffer and T4 DNA ligase was added. Following an overnight ligation reaction, the ligase was heat inactivated and the reaction was precipitated with ammonium acetate and ethanol. The washed DNA pellet was dissolved in TE and used as template for PCR with primers RPG097 and RPG098 (referring to Table 1). This PCR reaction was then diluted and used as template for PCR using nested primers RPG099 and RPG100. The resulting PCR product was cleaned then sequenced with primer RPG116 to determine the nucleotide sequence flanking the site of the T-DNA insertion. BLASTn analysis of this sequence against the JGI Trichoderma reesei database v 2.0 genome sequence identified the flanking sequence as region 1203727 to 1204065 on Scaffold 5, with the site of insertion site of the T-DNA being at position 1203727.

The site of insertion was confirmed by PCR using primers homologous to the genomic DNA flanking the insertion site and primers homologous to the T-DNA. In particular, primers RPG099 and RPG133 were used to confirm the sequence at the 5′ end of the T-DNA (i.e., near the pyr4 promoter), and primers RPG112 and RPG134 were used to confirm the sequence at the 3′ end of the T-DNA (i.e., near the pyr4 terminator). Primers RPG133 and RPG134 amplified the full T-DNA insertion at the identified site.

The site of the pyr4 insertion in mutant F16 was at Scaffold 5 at 1203727 in the T. reesei JGI genomic database v2. The gene found at this site has homology to the seb1 gene found in several other fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichoderma atroviride. The seb1 gene encodes an AGGGG-binding protein, which appears to be involved in osmotic stress response (Peterbauer, C. et al. (2002) Molecular Genetics and Genomics 268:223-31). Indeed, the F16 strain was found to have a stress response phenotype similar to that described in the literature. Since the insertion at this site was shown to be the only genetic change made in the F16 strain, it follows that disruption of the seb1 gene was responsible for the observed morphological changes.

TABLE 1 Primers used in Example 1. Primer Sequence SEQ ID NO RPG097 5′-GCGAGGAGACGGACTCGTACTGCT-3′ 14 RPG098 5′-CCGGGAGCACAAGGACTTTGTCAT-3′ 15 RPG099 5′-GCGTCGTCGTCAAACGAGTCCAT-3′ 16 RPG100 5′-CCGACGATGCCTTTATCCACATGA-3′ 17 RPG116 5′-CCCGGCATCATAGAATGCA-3′ 18 RPG133 5′-GGAGCCAACAGAGACGGTCAGGTT-3′ 19 RPG112 5′-CCACAACGGCACCCTAAGGGTTAA-3′ 20 RPG134 5′-GCTAATCCGCTTCGGGCAGTGTAT-3′ 21

Example 2 Deletion of the Seb1 Gene from the Morph 1.1 Ku80 Deleted Strain of T. reesei

The T. reesei Morph 1.1 (i.e., “Morph”) mutant is deleted for four major cellulases genes (i.e., cbhI, cbhII, eglI and eglII), which makes it useful for expressing other proteins in the absence of cellulase background activity. The ku80 gene was deleted from Morph to increase homologous recombination and aid in the sequence-specific disruption of seb1. The pyr4 gene was disrupted so that it could be used as a transformation marker. A seb1 disruption cassette was prepared by PCR by amplifying the disrupted seb1 gene from DNA obtained from the aforementioned F16 mutant, along with about 500 bp of 5′ seb1 flanking sequences and about 500 bp of 3′ seb1 flanking sequences. Morph1.1 Δku80Δpyr4 was transformed using PEG with this deletion cassette, to produce strain Morph1.1 Δku80Δpyr4Δseb1. As above, this strain had an osmotic stress response similar to that of the T. atroviride seb1-deleted strain described in the literature (Peterbauer, C. et al., 2002).

Strains Morph 1.1 Δku80 and Morph1.1 Δku80Δpyr4Δseb1 were grown under identical conditions in submerged (liquid) culture, and their growth phenotypes were compared. Briefly, spores of each strain were added separately to 500-mL of medium in a 3-L flask with both side and bottom baffles. The culture was grown in a minimal glucose medium for 48 hrs at 34° C. in a shaking incubator.

After 48 hrs, the contents of each flask were added separately to 14-L fermentors containing 9.5 L of medium containing 4.7 g/L KH₂PO₄, 1.0 g/L MgSO₄.7.H₂O, 4.3 g/L (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 2.5 mL/L of the same trace element solution. These components were heat sterilized together at 121° C. for 30 minutes. A solution of 60% glucose and 0.48% CaCl₂.2.H₂O was separately autoclaved, cooled, and added to the fermentor to a final concentration of 75 g/L glucose and 0.6 g/L CaCl₂.2.H₂O. The medium was adjusted to pH 3.5 with 28% NH₃ and the temperature was maintained at 34° C. for the entire growth period.

A dissolved oxygen (DO) probe was calibrated to 100% when there was no added pressure in the headspace (i.e., 0 bar gauge, 1 bar absolute). The pressure in the headspace was then set to 0.7 bar (gauge), after which the oxygen probe read 170% before the seed culture was added. The fermentor contained two, four-blade turbines that provided mixing via a variable speed motor that was initially set at 500 rpm.

As the cultures grew, DO levels dropped, at least partly as a consequence of the increased viscosity of the broth due to the proliferation of filamentous fungus hyphae. When DO fell below 40%, the agitation rate was increased to maintain the dissolved oxygen at 40%. Upon reaching 750 rpm agitation, DO would be allowed to drop below 40%. If the DO did not fall below 40%, then it was unnecessary to increase the agitation rate during the fermentation run, and the initial agitation rate was higher than necessary. When the glucose was completely consumed, the amount of biomass produced in each fermentor was measured, and found to be substantially the same for both strains.

The DO level in each fermentor at a given level of agitation, and the amount of agitation required to maintain a given DO level are indirect measures of the viscosity of the different broths, due to the different strain growth phenotypes. Although it would be ideal to vary only one variable (i.e., DO or agitation) and measure the other, it is desirable to prevent the DO from falling below 40% to ensure the production of sufficient biomass in each fermentor, thereby permitting a more meaningful comparison between the growth of the different strains.

Generally, where it is necessary to increase the agitation rate to maintain a target DO level, the amount of agitation can be estimated by the amount of power supplied to the motor driving the fermentor turbine, which provides a metric that correlates with the viscosity of the broth. In particular, the extra power required to agitate the suspended culture is proportional to the agitation rate raised to the 3rd power.

As shown in Table 2, deletion of the seb1 gene from strain Morph1/1 Δku80 resulted in a strain having a reduction in broth viscosity. At the end of the batch growth phase, when all the glucose has been consumed, both strains had achieved a similar biomass concentration. To get there, the control strain saw agitation increased to the maximum of 750 rpm and then saw DO drop down to as low as 29%. The seb1 deleted strain did not require as much energy to achieve the same biomass concentration. Agitation rate was never increased above 500 rpm and DO dropped only as low as 55%.

TABLE 2 Broth viscosity in Morph1/1 Δku80 with and without the seb1 gene CER Agitation Biomass (mmol/ Strain Deletion DO (%) (rpm) (g/kg) L/hr) Morph1.1Δku80 none 29 750 38 157 Morph1.1Δku80, seb1 55 500 37 138 Δpyr4, Δseb1

Example 3 Additive Viscosity Reduction in Mutants Having Disrupted Seb1 and Sfb3 Genes

A. Morph Strain TrGA #32

The Morph strain, described above, was previously transformed with a native Trichoderma glucoamylase gene (TrGA) under control of the CBH1 promoter, using amds as a marker. A transformant containing two tandom copies of glucoamylase (TrGA 29-9) was subsequently isolated, and random chemical mutagenesis was used to produce a cell wall mutant (70H2) having altered morphology associated with a reduced viscosity phenotype. This reduced viscosity phenotype was later determined to be the result of a truncated sfb3 gene (data not shown). A 70H2 strain transformed with additional copies of TrGA (i.e., TrGA #32) has further been useful for overexpressing TrGA.

B. Generation of a Seb1 Disruption Cassette

The seb1 disruption cassette plasmid pRATT240 (FIG. 6) was prepared using standard molecular biology procedures. This plasmid included a DNA sequence having a 3.3 Kb region homologous to the DNA sequence immediately 5′ (relative to seb1 transcription) to the T-DNA insertion site identified in strain T4 F16 and a 3.0 Kb region homologous to the DNA sequence immediately 3′ to the T-DNA insertion site. These sequences were designed to target the insertion of the intervening cassette sequences to the insertion site identified in strain T4 F16. These intervening sequences included a pyr2 selection marker from Trichoderma atroviride intended to minimize homology to the endogenous T. reesei pyr2 in the genome of the strain to be transformed. Immediately upstream of the pyr2 selection marker was a directly repeated duplication of the 3′end of the marker, which facilitated the subsequent loss of the marker and isolation of useful pyr2 mutant derivatives of the transformants/disruptants. This full seb1 disruption cassette was amplified by PCR using primers RPG257 and RPG264 (referring to Table 2). Multiple PCR reactions were pooled and cleaned using standard molecular biology procedures for use in the subsequent steps.

C. Generation of Strain TrGA#32ΔSeb1

Strain TrGA #32 was transformed with the seb1 disruption cassette using PEG-mediated transformation, and plated on Vogel's minimal medium containing sorbitol to select for candidates based on uridine prototrophy acquired by the pyr2 marker. Individual transformants were isolated by transfer to Vogel's minimal medium. PCR analysis was used to identify transformants in which the seb1 disruption cassette integrated at the seb1 locus by homologous recombination. Homologous integration of the Δseb1 disruption cassette at the seb1 locus was verified by amplifying DNA fragments of the expected sizes using two primer pairs. Primer pair RPG297 and RPG253 amplified a DNA fragment starting outside the 5′ end of the disruption cassette region and ending within the 3′ region. Primer pair RPG296 and RPG273 amplified a DNA fragment starting within the 5′ region of the disruption cassette and ending outside the 3′ end of the disruption cassette region. Consistent with disruption, a third primer pair, RPG133 and RPG220, amplified a 1.6 Kb DNA fragment spanning the insertion site using template DNA from the untransformed parental strain but failed to amplify this fragment using template DNA from the seb1 disruption strain. The generated strain with confirmed homologous integration of the seb1 disruption cassette was named TrGA#32 Δseb1.

D. Growth of TrGA#32 ΔSeb1 in Submerged Culture

Strains TrGA#32 and TrGA#32 Δseb1 were grown under identical conditions in submerged (liquid) culture as described in Example 2, and their growth phenotypes were compared. As shown in Table 3, deletion of the seb1 gene from the TrGA#32 strain resulted in a strain having a further reduction in viscosity (based on the rpm required to maintain a preselected level of dissolved oxygen), indicating that disruption of the seb1 gene and disruption of the sfb3 gene have an additive effect with respect to morphology and viscosity reduction. Protein production was not affected by the seb1 deletion (not shown).

TABLE 3 Growth characteristics of TrGA #32 and TrGA #32 Δseb1 in liquid medium. DO Agitation Biomass CER Strain Deletion(s) (%) (rpm) (g/kg) (mmol/L/hr) TrGA #32 sfb3 40 618 38 147 TrGA #32 sfb3/seb1 41 500 39 135 Δseb1

TABLE 4 Primers used in Example 3. SEQ ID Primer Sequence NO RPG257 5′-AGATACTAGTGCGAGGCATCCGTGATGGATCTC-3′ 22 RPG264 5′-GGGTCCCGGGCTCGGGAGCGTAACTCTTGTCC-3′ 23 RPG296 5′-CACCGGTGAAGCCTTCCGTGAGT-3′ 24 RPG297 5′-CGCCGTCAGTTGACGACAGTGCT-3′ 25 RPG253 5′-TTCCTGACAACGAGGACATCTCAAGCTGT-3′ 26 RPG273 5′-GGTCAGTAACATAGCAGGACTATAGTAGTG- 27 GCTCAC-3′ RPG133 5′-GGAGCCAACAGAGACGGTCAGGTT-3′ 19 RPG220 5′-GCCCAGCGTCGAGTGAGACAAGT-3′ 28

Example 4 Viscosity Reduction in Mutants Having Disrupted Seb1 and Mpg1 Genes

A. Morph Strain TrGA 77B7

The Morph strain, described above, was previously transformed with a native Trichoderma glucoamylase gene (TrGA) under control of the CBH1 promoter, using amds as a marker. A transformant containing two tandom copies of glucoamylase (TrGA 29-9) was subsequently isolated, and random chemical mutagenesis was used to produce a mutant (77B7). A spontaneous pyr2 mutant derivative was subsequently isolated by 5-fluoro-orotic acid (FOA) selection.

B. Generation of an Mpg1 Disruption Cassette

The Trichoderma reesei mpg1(jgi|Trire1|122551) protein sequence is shown below (SEQ ID NO: 29): MKGLILVGGFGTRLRPLTLTLPKPLVEFCNKPMIVHQIEALVAAGVTDIVLAVNYRPEIMEKFL AEYEEKYNINIEFSVESEPLDTAGPLKLAERILGKDDSPFFVLNSDVICDYPFKELLEFHKAHG DEGTIVVTKVEEPSKYGVVVHKPNHPSRIDRFVEKPVEFVGNRINAGMYIFNPSVLKRIELRPT SIEKETFPAMVADNQLHSFDLEGFWMDVGQPKDFLSGTCLYLSSLTKKGSKELTPPTEPYVHGG NVMIHPSAKIGKNCRIGPNVTIGPDVVVGDGVRLQRCVLLKGSKVKDHAWVKSTIVGWNSTVGR WARLENVTVLGDDVTIGDEIYVNGGSVLPHKSIKANVDVPAIIM*

The mpg1 disruption cassette plasmid pRATT249 (FIG. 7) was prepared using standard molecular biology procedures. This plasmid included a DNA sequence having a 2.5 Kb region homologous to the DNA sequence spanning part of the 5′ untranslated region and contiguous upstream sequences (Left Flank). Also included within the plasmid was a DNA sequence having a 3.3 Kb region homologous to the DNA sequence spanning part of the fourth exon of the mpg1 gene and contiguous downstream sequences (Right Flank). These sequences were designed to target the mpg1 gene and replace the regions of the genome between the Left and Right Flanks with the intervening cassette sequences. These intervening sequences included a pyr2 selection marker from Trichoderma atroviride intended to minimize homology to the endogenous T. reesei pyr2 in the genome of the strain to be transformed. Immediately upstream of the pyr2 selection marker was a directly repeated duplication of the 3′end of the marker, which facilitated the subsequent loss of the marker and isolation of useful pyr2 mutant derivatives of the transformants/disruptants. This full mpg1 disruption cassette was amplified by PCR using primers RPG388 and RPG391. Multiple PCR reactions were pooled and cleaned using standard molecular biology procedures for use in the subsequent steps.

C. Generation of Strain Morph 77B7 ΔMpg1

Strain Morph TrGA 77B7 was transformed with the mpg1 disruption cassette using PEG-mediated transformation, and plated on Vogel's minimal medium containing sorbitol to select for candidates based on uridine prototrophy acquired by the pyr2 marker. Individual transformants were isolated and propagated by transfer to Vogel's minimal medium. PCR analysis was used to identify transformants in which the mpg1 disruption cassette integrated at the mpg1 locus by homologous recombination. Homologous integration of the Δmpg1 disruption cassette at the mpg1 locus was verified by amplifying DNA fragments of the expected sizes using two primer pairs. Primer pair RPG394 and RPG253 amplified a DNA fragment starting outside the 5′ end of the disruption cassette region and ending within the 3′ region. Primer pair RPG395 and RPG273 amplified a DNA fragment starting within the 5′ region of the disruption cassette and ending outside the 3′ end of the disruption cassette region. The generated strain with confirmed homologous integration of the mpg 1 disruption cassette was named TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1

D. Deletion of Seb1 from TrGA 77B7 and TrGA 77B7 ΔMpg1

Deletion of seb1 from TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 was performed as described in Example 3, thereby generating strain TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 Δseb1.

E. Growth of TrGA 77B7ΔSeb1 and TrGA 77B7 ΔMpg1 ΔSeb1 in Submerged Culture

Strains Morph TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1, and TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 Δseb1 were grown under identical conditions in submerged (liquid) culture as described in Example 2 and their growth phenotypes were compared. As shown in Table 5, deletion of the seb1 gene from the Morph TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 strain resulted in a further reduction in viscosity, even though TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 Δseb1 was at a higher cell mass, indicating that disruption of the mpg1 and seb1 genes have an additive effect with respect to morphology and viscosity reduction. Protein production of TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 Δseb1 was at least 85% or higher of that of Morph TrGA 77B7 and Morph TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1.

TABLE 5 Broth viscosity in TrGA 77B7 Δ mpg1, and TrGA 77B7 Δmpg1 Δseb1 CER DO Agitation Biomass (mmol/ Strain Deletion (%) (rpm) (g/kg) L/hr) Morph TrGA mpg1 102 500 42 118 77B7Δmpg1 Morph TrGA mpg1, 110 500 47 112 77B7Δmpg1Δseb1 seb1

TABLE 6 Primers used in Example 4. SEQ Primer Sequence ID NO: RPG388 5′-CCCCTCCGGATGAGGTGGCTTGTGGCT-3′ 30 RPG391 5′-GGCGGCTAGCAGACGCACTCGTAGAGCAA 31 GGT-3′ RPG394 5′-AGGTCCGATCAACGACTCTGGCAAC-3′ 32 RPG253 5′-TTCCTGACAACGAGGACATCTCAAGCTGT-3′ 33 RPG395 5′-GGGTTGTCGTTAGCTAACCAGAGCGTAA-3′ 34 RPG273 5′-GTCAGTAACATAGCAGGACTATAGTAGTGGCT 35 CAC-3′

Example 5 Additive Viscosity Reduction in Mutants Having Disrupted at Least One of Gas1, Crz1 and Tps2 Genes in Conjunction with Disrupted Mpg1, Seb1, and/or Sbf3

A. Viscosity Reduction in Disrupted Gas1

The Gel/Gas/Phr family of fungal β(1,3)-glucanosyltransferases plays an important role in cell wall biogenesis by processing the main component β(1,3)-glucan (Popolo et al., 2008). gas1 (PID 22914) encodes a beta-1,3-glucanosyltransferase that is a GPI (and/or glucan)-anchored protein capable of breaking and joining beta-1,3-glucans. There are multiple paralogs in many fungal genomes including T. reesei, which has five. Separate studies have shown that mutation of the gas1 gene (or the gel1 gene as it is known in Aspergillus fumigatus) affects fungal cell wall structure, and can lead to morphological changes as well as hypersensitivity to Calcofluor White, Congo Red and sodium dodecyl sulfate (Schirawski, J. et al. 2005, Mouyna, I. et al. 2005).

A Trichoderma reesei Morph strain was deleted for four major cellulase genes, including cbhI, cbhII, egII and egIV, which makes it particular suitable for expressing other proteins in the absence of or in reduced cellulase background. See, WO 05/001036. The Morph strain had been previously transformed with a native Trichoderma glucoamylase gene (TrGA) under control of the CBH1 promoter, using amdS as a marker. A transformant containing two tandom copies of glucoamylase (TrGA 29-9) was subsequently isolated, and random chemical mutagenesis was used to produce a mutant (77B7). A spontaneous pyr2 mutant derivative was subsequently isolated by 5-fluoro-orotic acid (FOA) selection. The Trichoderma reesei gas1 (PID 22914) was deleted from mutant Morph 77B7.

Strain Morph TrGA 77B7 Δpyr2 was transformed with a gas1 disruption cassette using PEG-mediated transformation, and plated on Vogel's minimal medium containing sorbitol to select for candidates based on uridine prototrophy acquired by the pyr2 marker. As shown in Table 8, Morph 77B7 Δgas1 has a reduction in broth viscosity compared to the parent Morph 77B7. At the end of the batch growth phase, when all the glucose has been consumed, both strains had achieved a similar biomass concentration. To arrive at the end of the batch growth phase, the Morph 77B7 control strain saw agitation increased to 616 rpm and then saw DO content level drop down to as low as 40%. The strain Morph 77B7 Δgas1 did not require as much energy (i.e., rpm increase in agitation) to achieve the same biomass concentration. Agitation rate never increased above 500 rpm and the % DO never dropped below 115. Protein production was not adversely affected in Morph 77B7 Δgas1 compared to Morph 77B7 (data not shown). Details of the gas1 disruption can be found in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/480,602, filed Apr. 29, 2011, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TABLE 8 Broth viscosity of Morph 77B7 compared to Morph 77b7 Δgas1 DO Agitation Biomass CER Strain Deletion (%) (rpm) (g/kg) (mmol/L/hr) Morph 77b7 none 40 616 38 141 Morph gas1 115 500 39 147 77b7Δgas1 B. Viscosity Reduction in Disrupted Crz1

In fungi, calcineurin mediated Ca²⁺ signaling has been shown to be required for growth, development, and virulence in many organisms. It is necessary for adaption to diverse environmental conditions including high cation levels and alkaline pH. The gene crz1 encodes a calcineurin-regulated transcription factor. The Crz1p transcription factor is dephosphorylated when the phosphatase calcineurin is activated by Ca²⁺/calmodulin. It then enters the nucleus and induces expression of a number of genes, many of which encode proteins with cell wall-related functions (Yoshimoto et al., 2002; Lagorce et al., 2003; Garcia et al., 2004; Karababa et al., 2006; Pardini et al., 2006, Munro, C. et al. 2009). Deletion of crz1 or a homolog can result in alterations in hyphal morphology (Kothe, G. and Free, S. 1998, Prokisch, H. et al. 1997).

A Trichoderma reesei Morph strain was prepared as described above. The Trichoderma reesei crz1 (PID 36391) was deleted from mutant Morph 77B7. Strain Morph TrGA 77B7 Δpyr2 was transformed with the crz1 disruption cassette using PEG-mediated transformation, and plated on Vogel's minimal medium containing sorbitol to select for candidates based on uridine prototrophy acquired by the pyr2 marker. As shown in Table 9, Morph 77B7 Δcrz1 has a reduction in broth viscosity compared to the parent Morph 77B7. At the end of the batch growth phase, when all the glucose has been consumed, both strains had achieved a similar biomass concentration. To arrive at the end of the batch growth phase, the Morph 77B7 control strain saw agitation increased to 616 rpm and then saw DO content level drop down to as low as 40%. The strain Morph 77B7 Δcrz1 did not require as much energy to achieve the same biomass concentration. Agitation rate never increased above 500 rpm and the % DO never dropped below 100. Details of the crz1 disruption can be found in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/480,610, filed Apr. 29, 2011, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TABLE 9 Broth viscosity of Morph 77B7 compared to Morph 77b7 Δcrz1 Agitation Biomass CER Strain Deletion DO (%) (rpm) (g/kg) (mmol/L/hr) Morph 77b7 none 40 616 38 141 Morph crz1 100 500 39 120 77b7Δcrz1 C. Viscosity Reduction in Disrupted Tps1

The gene tps2 encodes a trehalose-phosphate phosphatase involved in the synthesis of the disaccharide trehalose. Trehalose is a stress induced sugar that buffers the refolding of denatured proteins in the cytoplasm and ER (Singer, M et al. 1998, Simola, M et al. 2000). This disaccharide is produced in large quantities by diverse organisms in response to a variety of stresses. In yeast, trehalose stabilizes proteins at high temperatures and assists in refolding heat damaged proteins (Simola, M et al. 2000).

A Trichoderma reesei Morph strain was prepared as described above. The Trichoderma reesei tps2 (PID 48707) was deleted from mutant Morph 77B7. Strain Morph TrGA 77B7 Δpyr2 was transformed with the tps2 disruption cassette using PEG-mediated transformation, and plated on Vogel's minimal medium containing sorbitol to select for candidates based on uridine prototrophy acquired by the pyr2 marker. As shown in Table 10, Morph 77B7 Δtps2 has a reduction in broth viscosity compared to the parent Morph 77B7. At the end of the batch growth phase, when all the glucose had been consumed, both strains had achieved a similar biomass concentration. To arrive at the end of the batch growth phase, the Morph 77B7 control strain saw agitation increased to 616 rpm and then saw DO content level drop down to as low as 40%. The strain Morph 77B7 Δtps2 did not require as much energy to achieve the same biomass concentration. Agitation rate never increased above 500 rpm and the % DO never dropped below 110. Details of the tps1 disruption can be found in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/480,629, filed Apr. 29, 2011, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TABLE 10 Broth viscosity of Morph 77B7 compared to Morph 77b7 Δtps2 Agitation Biomass CER Strain Deletion DO (%) (rpm) (g/kg) (mmol/L/hr) Morph 77b7 none 40 616 38 141 Morph tps2 110 500 41 94 77b7Δtps2

Although the foregoing compositions and methods have been described in some detail by way of illustration and examples for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be made. Therefore, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is delineated by the appended claims.

All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes and to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be so incorporated by reference.

REFERENCES

The following references, and additional reference cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference:

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What is claimed is:
 1. A variant strain of Trichoderma reesei derived from a parental strain, the variant strain comprising a deletion of a seb1 gene that causes cells of the variant strain to produce a reduced amount of functional Seb1 protein compared to cells of the parental strain, wherein the seb1 gene encodes a Seb1 protein comprising at least 88% sequence identity to the T. reesei Seb1 protein of SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture the cells of the variant strain produce a cell broth that has a reduction in viscosity compared to the cells of the parental strain, wherein the reduction in cell broth viscosity of the variant strain (i) requires reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintains an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain.
 2. The variant strain of claim 1, wherein deletion of the seb1 gene is performed using site-specific recombination.
 3. The variant strain of claim 1, wherein deletion of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene.
 4. The variant strain of claim 1, wherein the variant strain does not produce functional Seb1 protein.
 5. The variant strain of claim 1, wherein the variant strain does not produce Seb1 protein.
 6. The variant strain of claim 1, wherein the variant strain further comprises a gene encoding a protein of interest.
 7. The variant strain of claim 1, further comprising a disruption of the sfb3 gene.
 8. The variant strain of claim 1, further comprising a disruption of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene.
 9. The variant strain of claim 1, wherein the variant strain produces substantially the same amount of, or more, protein per unit amount of biomass as the parental strain.
 10. A variant strain of Trichoderma reesei derived from a parental strain, the variant strain comprising: (a) a deletion of a seb1 gene that causes cells of the variant strain to produce a reduced amount of functional Seb1 protein compared to cells of the parental strain, wherein the seb1 gene encodes a Seb1 protein comprising at least 88% sequence identity to the T. reesei Seb1 protein of SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein during aerobic fermentation in submerged culture the cells of the variant strain (i) require reduced agitation to maintain a preselected dissolved oxygen content compared to the cells of the parental strain, and/or (ii) maintain an increased dissolved oxygen content at a preselected amount of agitation, compared to the cells of the parental strain, and (b) a gene encoding a protein of interest, wherein the gene encoding the protein of interest is present in the variant strain prior to the deletion performed in step (a).
 11. The variant strain of claim 10, wherein deletion of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with introducing a selectable marker at the genetic locus of the seb1 gene.
 12. The variant strain of claim 10, wherein deletion of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting at least one gene selected from the group consisting of the sfb3 gene, the mpg1 gene, the gas1 gene, the crz1 gene, and the tps2 gene.
 13. The variant strain of claim 10, wherein deletion of the seb1 gene is performed in combination with disrupting the mpg1 gene. 